1
秦始皇帝者，秦莊襄王子也。 莊襄王為秦質子於趙，見呂不韋姬，悅而取之，生始皇。 以秦昭王四十八年正月生於邯鄲。 及生，名為政，姓趙氏。 年十三歲，莊襄王死，政代立為秦王。 當是之時，秦地已并巴、蜀、漢中，越宛有郢，置南郡矣； 北收上郡以東，有河東、太原、上黨郡； 東至滎陽，滅二周，置三川郡。 呂不韋為相，封十萬戶，號曰文信侯。 招致賓客游士，欲以并天下。 李斯為舍人。 蒙驁、王齮、麃公等為將軍。 王年少，初即位，委國事大臣。
Qin Shihuangdi was the son of King Zhuangxiang of Qin. While King Zhuangxiang was a hostage of Qin in Zhao, he saw Lü Buwei's concubine, took pleasure in her, married her, and she gave birth to the First Emperor. He was born in Handan in the first month of Qin King Zhaoxiang's forty-eighth year. When he was born, he was named Zheng and took the surname Zhao. At age thirteen, King Zhuangxiang died and Zheng succeeded him as King of Qin. At this time, Qin territory had already annexed Ba, Shu, and Hanzhong; it extended past Wan to include Ying, and established Nan commandery; To the north it had collected the lands east of Shang commandery, including Hedong, Taiyuan, and Shangdang commanderies; To the east, Qin reached Xingyang, destroyed the two Zhou states, and established Sanchuan commandery. Lü Buwei became chancellor, was enfeoffed with one hundred thousand households, and was titled Lord Wenxin. He recruited guests and wandering scholars with the aim of unifying the world. Li Si served as his attendant. Meng Ao, Wang Qi, Bi Gong, and others served as generals. The king was young and new to the throne, so he entrusted state affairs to his ministers.
2
晉陽反，元年，將軍蒙驁擊定之。 二年，麃公將卒攻卷，斬首三萬。 三年，蒙驁攻韓，取十三城。 王齮死。 十月，將軍蒙驁攻魏氏暢、有詭。 歲大饑。 四年，拔暢、有詭。 三月，軍罷。 秦質子歸自趙，趙太子出歸國。 十月庚寅，蝗蟲從東方來，蔽天。 天下疫。 百姓內粟千石，拜爵一級。 五年，將軍驁攻魏，定酸棗、燕、虛、長平、雍丘、山陽城，皆拔之，取二十城。 初置東郡。 冬雷。 六年，韓、魏、趙、衛、楚共擊秦，取壽陵。 秦出兵，五國兵罷。 拔衛，迫東郡，其君角率其支屬徙居野王，阻其山以保魏之河內。 七年，彗星先出東方，見北方，五月見西方。 將軍驁死。 以攻龍、孤、慶都，還兵攻汲。 彗星復見西方十六日。 夏太后死。 八年，王弟長安君成蟜將軍擊趙，反，死屯留，軍吏皆斬死，遷其民於臨洮。 將軍壁死，卒屯留、蒲鶴反，戮其尸。 河魚大上，輕車重馬東就食。
Jinyang rebelled. In the first year, General Meng Ao attacked and brought it under control. In the second year, General Bi Gong attacked Juan with his troops and beheaded thirty thousand. In the third year, Meng Ao attacked Han and captured thirteen cities. Wang Qi died. In the tenth month, General Meng Ao attacked Chang and Yougui of Wei. There was a severe famine that year. In the fourth year, they captured Chang and Yougui. In the third month, the army was disbanded. Qin's hostage returned from Zhao, and Zhao's crown prince departed to return to his state. In the tenth month on the Gengyin day, locusts came from the east and blotted out the sky. There was an epidemic throughout the empire. Commoners who donated one thousand shi of grain were granted nobility one rank higher. In the fifth year, General Ao attacked Wei, bringing Suanzhao, Yan, Xu, Changping, Yongqiu, and Shanyang under control. He captured them all, taking twenty cities in total. Dong commandery was established for the first time. There was thunder in winter. In the sixth year, Han, Wei, Zhao, Wei, and Chu joined forces to attack Qin and captured Shouling. Qin sent out troops, and the five states' armies withdrew. They captured Wei and pressed against Dong commandery. Its ruler Jiao led his clan and relatives to move and reside at Yewang, blocking the mountains to preserve Wei's Henan region. In the seventh year, a comet first appeared in the east, was visible in the north, and appeared in the west in the fifth month. General Ao died. After attacking Long, Gu, and Qingdu, they turned their troops back to attack Ji. The comet reappeared in the west for sixteen days. Empress Dowager Xia died. In the eighth year, the king's younger brother Lord Chang'an Cheng Juan, serving as general, attacked Zhao but rebelled. He died at Tunliu, all the army officers were beheaded, and their people were moved to Lintao. General Bi died, and the troops at Tunliu and Puhe rebelled. Their corpses were mutilated. Great numbers of river fish swam upstream, and light chariots and heavy horses went east in search of food.
3
嫪毐封為長信侯。 予之山陽地，令毐居之。 宮室車馬衣服苑囿馳獵恣毐。 事無小大皆決於毐。 又以河西太原郡更為毐國。 九年，彗星見，或竟天。 攻魏垣、蒲陽。 四月，上宿雍。 己酉，王冠，帶劍。 長信侯毐作亂而覺，矯王御璽及太后璽以發縣卒及衛卒、官騎、戎翟君公、舍人，將欲攻蘄年宮為亂。 王知之，令相國昌平君、昌文君發卒攻毐。 戰咸陽，斬首數百，皆拜爵，及宦者皆在戰中，亦拜爵一級。 毐等敗走。 即令國中：有生得毐，賜錢百萬； 殺之，五十萬。 盡得毐等。 衛尉竭、內史肆、佐弋竭、中大夫令齊等二十人皆梟首。 車裂以徇，滅其宗。 及其舍人，輕者為鬼薪。 及奪爵遷蜀四千餘家，家房陵。 （四）［是］月寒凍，有死者。 楊端和攻衍氏。 彗星見西方，又見北方，從斗以南八十日。 十年，相國呂不韋坐嫪毐免。 桓齮為將軍。 齊、趙來置酒。 齊人茅焦說秦王曰：「秦方以天下為事，而大王有遷母太后之名，恐諸侯聞之，由此倍秦也。」 秦王乃迎太后於雍而入咸陽，復居甘泉宮。
Lao Ai was enfeoffed as Lord Changxin. He was given Shanyang land and ordered to live there. Palaces, chariots, horses, clothes, gardens, parks, galloping, and hunting—all were provided without limit for Ai. All matters, whether great or small, were decided by Ai. The Hexi and Taiyuan commanderies were once again changed to become Ai's domain. In the ninth year, a comet appeared, sometimes spanning the entire sky. They attacked Wei's Yuan and Puyang. In the fourth month, His Majesty lodged at Yong. On the Jiyou day, the king was crowned and girded with a sword. Lord Changxin Lao Ai plotted rebellion and was discovered. He forged the king's imperial seal and the empress dowager's seal to mobilize county troops, guard troops, official cavalry, Rongdi nobles, and attendants, intending to attack the Qinian Palace in rebellion. The king learned of it and ordered Chancellor Lord Changping and Lord Changwen to dispatch troops to attack Ai. They fought at Xianyang and beheaded several hundred. All participants were granted nobility ranks, and even the eunuchs who took part in the battle were granted one nobility rank. Ai and his followers were defeated and fled. He immediately ordered throughout the state: Whoever captures Ai alive will be granted one million cash; Whoever kills him will receive five hundred thousand. They completely captured Ai and his followers. Wei Wei Jie, Nei Shi Si, Zuo Yi Jie, Zhong Da Fu Ling Qi, and twenty others all had their heads displayed on poles. They were torn apart by chariots as a public warning, and their clans were extinguished. As for their attendants, the lesser ones were sentenced to gather firewood for the ghosts. They stripped the families of their nobility and relocated more than four thousand households to Shu, settling them at Fangling. That month brought bitter cold, and some people died. Yang Duan He attacked Yanshi. A comet appeared in the west, then reappeared in the north, stretching southward from the Dipper for eighty days. In the tenth year, Chancellor Lü Buwei was dismissed because of his involvement with Lao Ai. Huan Yi became a general. Qi and Zhao came and held a banquet. The man from Qi, Mao Jiao, persuaded the King of Qin, saying, 'Qin is currently engaged with matters of the world, yet Your Majesty has the reputation of moving away your mother the Empress Dowager. I fear that if the feudal lords hear of this, they will thereby turn against Qin.' The King of Qin then went to Yong to welcome the Empress Dowager and brought her back to Xianyang, where she once again resided in the Ganquan Palace.
4
大索，逐客，李斯上書說，乃止逐客令。 李斯因說秦王，請先取韓以恐他國，於是使斯下韓。 韓王患之。 與韓非謀弱秦。 大梁人尉繚來，說秦王曰：「以秦之彊，諸侯譬如郡縣之君，臣但恐諸侯合從，翕而出不意，此乃智伯、夫差、湣王之所以亡也。 願大王毋愛財物，賂其豪臣，以亂其謀，不過亡三十萬金，則諸侯可盡。」 秦王從其計，見尉繚亢禮，衣服食飲與繚同。 繚曰：「秦王為人，蜂準，長目，摯鳥膺，豺聲，少恩而虎狼心，居約易出人下，得志亦輕食人。 我布衣，然見我常身自下我。 誠使秦王得志於天下，天下皆為虜矣。 不可與久游。」 乃亡去。 秦王覺，固止，以為秦國尉，卒用其計策。 而李斯用事。
A great search was conducted and guests were expelled, but Li Si presented a memorial persuading the king, and the order to expel guests was rescinded. Li Si therefore persuaded the King of Qin, requesting that they first take Han to intimidate the other states. The king then sent Li Si to Han. The King of Han was alarmed by this. He plotted with Han Fei to weaken Qin. The man from Daliang, Wei Liao, came and persuaded the King of Qin, saying, 'With Qin's strength, the feudal lords are like the rulers of commanderies and counties. Your minister only fears that the feudal lords will ally together and suddenly come out unexpectedly—this is how Zhi Bo, Fu Cha, and King Min perished.' I wish Your Majesty would not begrudge wealth and valuables, but bribe their powerful ministers to disrupt their plans. It would cost no more than three hundred thousand in gold, and then the feudal lords could be exhausted.' The King of Qin followed his plan. He received Wei Liao with great ceremony, and his clothes, food, and drink were the same as Liao's. Liao said, 'The King of Qin as a person has a nose like a bee's sting, long eyes, determined like a bird's breast, a jackal's voice, little kindness but a tiger and wolf heart. When in straitened circumstances he easily puts himself below others; when he obtains his will, he also lightly eats people.' I wear commoner's clothes, yet when he sees me he always bows his body beneath mine. If the King of Qin truly obtains his will in the world, the world will all become his captives.' One cannot travel with him for long.' So he fled. The King of Qin became aware and firmly detained him, appointing him Commandant of Qin, and eventually adopted his strategies. And Li Si took charge of affairs.
5
十一年，王翦、桓齮、楊端和攻鄴，取九城。 王翦攻閼與、橑楊，皆并為一軍。 翦將十八日，軍歸斗食以下，什推二人從軍取鄴安陽，桓齮將。 十二年，文信侯不韋死，竊葬。 其舍人臨者，晉人也逐出之； 秦人六百石以上奪爵，遷； 五百石以下不臨，遷，勿奪爵。 自今以來，操國事不道如嫪毐、不韋者籍其門，視此。 秋，復嫪毐舍人遷蜀者。 當是之時，天下大旱，六月至八月乃雨。
In the eleventh year, Wang Jian, Huan Yi, and Yang Duan He attacked Ye and captured nine cities. Wang Jian attacked Eyu and Laoyang, and all were combined into one army. Jian served as general for eighteen days. The army dismissed those of dou shi rank and below. One out of every ten pressed two persons to follow the army and take Ye and Anyang, with Huan Yi as general. In the twelfth year, Lord Wenxin Lü Buwei died and was buried in secret. His attendants who attended the funeral, including Jin people, were also driven out; Qin people of six hundred shi rank and above were stripped of nobility and moved; Those of five hundred shi rank and below who did not attend were relocated but not stripped of their nobility. From now on, those who handle state affairs improperly like Lao Ai and Lü Buwei will have their households registered—take this as a warning. In autumn, the attendants of Lao Ai who had been relocated to Shu were moved again. At this time, a great drought afflicted the empire. It did not rain from the sixth month until the eighth month.
6
十三年，桓齮攻趙平陽，殺趙將扈輒，斬首十萬。 王之河南。 正月，彗星見東方。 十月，桓齮攻趙。 十四年，攻趙軍於平陽，取宜安，破之，殺其將軍。 桓齮定平陽、武城。 韓非使秦，秦用李斯謀，留非，非死雲陽。 韓王請為臣。
In the thirteenth year, Huan Yi attacked Zhao's Pingyang, killed the Zhao general Hu Zhe, and beheaded one hundred thousand. The king went to Henan. In the first month, a comet appeared in the east. In the tenth month, Huan Yi attacked Zhao. In the fourteenth year, they attacked the Zhao army at Pingyang, captured Yian, routed it, and killed its general. Huan Yi brought Pingyang and Wucheng under control. Han Fei was sent as an envoy to Qin. Qin followed Li Si's plan, detained Fei, and Fei died at Yunyang. The King of Han requested to become a vassal.
7
十五年，大興兵，一軍至鄴，一軍至太原，取狼孟。 地動。 十六年九月，發卒受地韓南陽假守騰。 初令男子書年。 魏獻地於秦。 秦置麗邑。 十七年，內史騰攻韓，得韓王安，盡納其地，以其地為郡，命曰潁川。 地動。 華陽太后卒。 民大饑。
In the fifteenth year, they mobilized a large army—one force went to Ye, another to Taiyuan—and they captured Langmeng. The earth shook. In the sixteenth year, ninth month, they dispatched troops to receive Han's Nanyang lands from the acting governor Teng. For the first time, they ordered men to register their ages. Wei ceded land to Qin. Qin established Liyi. In the seventeenth year, Chamberlain for the Capital Teng attacked Han, captured King An of Han, and took all his lands, establishing them as a commandery named Yingchuan. The earth shook. Empress Dowager Huayang died. A severe famine afflicted the people.
8
十八年，大興兵攻趙，王翦將上地，下井陘，端和將河內，羌瘣伐趙，端和圍邯鄲城。 十九年，王翦、羌瘣盡定取趙地東陽，得趙王。 引兵欲攻燕，屯中山。 秦王之邯鄲，諸嘗與王生趙時母家有仇怨，皆阬之。 秦王還，從太原、上郡歸。 始皇帝母太后崩。 趙公子嘉率其宗數百人之代，自立為代王，東與燕合兵，軍上谷。 大饑。
In the eighteenth year, they mobilized a massive army to attack Zhao. Wang Jian commanded the highlands and descended through Jingxing Pass. Yang Duan He commanded Henan. Qiang Wei attacked Zhao, and Yang Duan He besieged Handan city. In the nineteenth year, Wang Jian and Qiang Wei completely subdued and took Zhao's Dongyang lands, capturing the King of Zhao. They led their troops intending to attack Yan and stationed them at Zhongshan. The King of Qin went to Handan. All those who had once borne grudges against the king's mother's family from the time of his birth in Zhao were thrown into pits. The King of Qin returned, passing through Taiyuan and Shang commandery. The First Emperor's mother, the Empress Dowager, passed away. Zhao's Prince Jia led several hundred clansmen to Dai, proclaimed himself King of Dai, allied with Yan to the east, and stationed troops at Shanggu. A severe famine occurred.
9
二十年，燕太子丹患秦兵至國，恐，使荊軻刺秦王。 秦王覺之，體解軻以徇，而使王翦、辛勝攻燕。 燕、代發兵擊秦軍，秦軍破燕易水之西。 二十一年，王賁攻（薊）［荊］。 乃益發卒詣王翦軍，遂破燕太子軍，取燕薊城，得太子丹之首。 燕王東收遼東而王之。 王翦謝病老歸。 新鄭反。 昌平君徙於郢。 大雨雪，深二尺五寸。
In the twentieth year, Yan's Crown Prince Dan, fearing that Qin troops would invade his state, sent Jing Ke to assassinate the King of Qin. The King of Qin learned of it, had Jing Ke dismembered and displayed as a warning, and sent Wang Jian and Xin Sheng to attack Yan. Yan and Dai dispatched troops to attack the Qin army, but the Qin army defeated Yan west of the Yi River. In the twenty-first year, Wang Ben attacked Jing. They then additionally sent troops to join Wang Jian's army, then broke the Yan crown prince's army, took Yan's Ji city, and obtained Crown Prince Dan's head. The King of Yan gathered Liaodong to the east and ruled there as king. Wang Jian declined on grounds of illness and old age, and returned home. Xinzheng rebelled. Lord Changping relocated to Ying. Heavy snow fell, reaching a depth of two chi and five cun.
10
二十二年，王賁攻魏，引河溝灌大梁，大梁城壞，其王請降，盡取其地。
In the twenty-second year, Wang Ben attacked Wei, diverted river channels to flood Daliang. The city's walls collapsed, its king surrendered, and Qin took all its territory.
11
二十三年，秦王復召王翦，彊起之，使將擊荊。 取陳以南至平輿，虜荊王。 秦王游至郢陳。 荊將項燕立昌平君為荊王，反秦於淮南。 二十四年，王翦、蒙武攻荊，破荊軍，昌平君死，項燕遂自殺。
In the twenty-third year, the King of Qin summoned Wang Jian again, forcibly recalled him from retirement, and made him general to attack Jing. They took territory from Chen southward to Pingyu and captured the King of Jing. The King of Qin toured to Ying and Chen. Jing general Xiang Yan established Lord Changping as King of Jing and rebelled against Qin south of the Huai River. In the twenty-fourth year, Wang Jian and Meng Wu attacked Jing, defeated the Jing army. Lord Changping died, and Xiang Yan then committed suicide.
12
二十五年，大興兵，使王賁將，攻燕遼東，得燕王喜。 還攻代，虜代王嘉。 王翦遂定荊江南地； 降越君，置會稽郡。 五月，天下大酺。
In the twenty-fifth year, they mobilized a large army, appointed Wang Ben as general, attacked Yan's Liaodong, and captured King Xi of Yan. They then attacked Dai and captured King Jia of Dai. Wang Jian then pacified the Jing lands south of the Jiang; He subjugated the Lord of Yue and established Kuaiji commandery. In the fifth month, there was a great celebration throughout the empire.
13
二十六年，齊王建與其相後勝發兵守其西界，不通秦。 秦使將軍王賁從燕南攻齊，得齊王建。
In the twenty-sixth year, Qi's King Jian, together with his chancellor Hou Sheng, dispatched troops to guard his western border and refused contact with Qin. Qin sent General Wang Ben to attack Qi from south of Yan and captured King Jian of Qi.
14
秦王初并天下，令丞相、御史曰：「異日韓王納地效璽，請為藩臣，已而倍約，與趙、魏合從畔秦，故興兵誅之，虜其王。 寡人以為善，庶幾息兵革。 趙王使其相李牧來約盟，故歸其質子。 已而倍盟，反我太原，故興兵誅之，得其王。 趙公子嘉乃自立為代王，故舉兵擊滅之。 魏王始約服入秦，已而與韓、趙謀襲秦，秦兵吏誅，遂破之。 荊王獻青陽以西，已而畔約，擊我南郡，故發兵誅，得其王，遂定其荊地。 燕王昏亂，其太子丹乃陰令荊軻為賊，兵吏誅，滅其國。 齊王用后勝計，絕秦使，欲為亂，兵吏誅，虜其王，平齊地。 寡人以眇眇之身，興兵誅暴亂，賴宗廟之靈，六王咸伏其辜，天下大定。 今名號不更，無以稱成功，傳後世。 其議帝號。」 丞相綰、御史大夫劫、廷尉斯等皆曰：「昔者五帝地方千里，其外侯服夷服諸侯或朝或否，天子不能制。 今陛下興義兵，誅殘賊，平定天下，海內為郡縣，法令由一統，自上古以來未嘗有，五帝所不及。 臣等謹與博士議曰：『古有天皇，有地皇，有泰皇，泰皇最貴。』 臣等昧死上尊號，王為『泰皇』。 命為『制』，令為『詔』，天子自稱曰『朕』。」 王曰：「去『泰』，著『皇』，采上古『帝』位號，號曰『皇帝』。 他如議。」 制曰：「可。」 追尊莊襄王為太上皇。 制曰：「朕聞太古有號毋謚，中古有號，死而以行為謐。 如此，則子議父，臣議君也，甚無謂，朕弗取焉。 自今已來，除謚法。 朕為始皇帝。 後世以計數，二世三世至于萬世，傳之無窮。」
When the King of Qin first unified the world, he commanded the chancellor and imperial secretary, saying, 'Previously the King of Han submitted his lands and presented his seal, requesting to become a vassal minister. But then he broke the agreement and allied with Zhao and Wei in rebellion against Qin, so I raised troops to execute them and captured their king.' I considered this good, perhaps it would bring an end to warfare. The King of Zhao sent his chancellor Li Mu to form an alliance, so I returned their hostage prince. But then they broke the alliance and rebelled against our Taiyuan, so I raised troops to punish them and captured their king. Zhao's Prince Jia then proclaimed himself King of Dai, so I raised troops to attack and destroy them. The King of Wei initially agreed to submit and enter Qin, but then plotted with Han and Zhao to attack Qin. Our troops and officials executed them and destroyed their state. The King of Jing offered the lands west of Qingyang, but then broke the agreement and attacked our Nan commandery. So I sent troops to punish them, captured their king, and pacified their Jing lands. The King of Yan was muddled and chaotic; his Crown Prince Dan secretly ordered Jing Ke to act as an assassin. Our troops and officials executed them and destroyed their state. The King of Qi followed Hou Sheng's plan to cut off Qin envoys and wished to rebel. Our troops and officials executed them, captured their king, and pacified the Qi lands. With my humble person, I raised troops to execute the violent and chaotic. Relying on the spirit of our ancestral temples, the six kings all submitted to their guilt, and the world is greatly pacified. Now if the name and title are not changed, there is no way to match our success and transmit it to later generations. Discuss the emperor title.' Chancellor Wan, Imperial Secretary Jie, Court Judge Si, and others all said, 'In former times, the Five Emperors' territories were only a thousand li square. Beyond that, the hou fu and yi fu feudal lords would sometimes come to court and sometimes not; the Son of Heaven could not control them.' Now Your Majesty has raised righteous troops, executed remnant bandits, and pacified the world. Within the seas it is all commanderies and counties, laws and commands come from one unification. From high antiquity until now there has never been such a thing; even the Five Emperors did not achieve this. We ministers respectfully discussed with the scholars and said, 'In ancient times there was the Heaven Emperor, the Earth Emperor, and the Great Emperor. The Great Emperor was the most noble.' We ministers, risking death, present the honored title: the king as 'Great Emperor.' Commands are to be called 'decrees,' orders are to be called 'edicts,' and the Son of Heaven is to refer to himself as 'I.'' The king said, 'Remove "great," attach "emperor." Adopt the high ancient "emperor" position title, and be titled "Emperor."' For the rest, follow the discussion.' The decree said, 'Acceptable.' King Zhuangxiang was retroactively honored as the Supreme Emperor. The decree said, 'I have heard that in high antiquity there were titles but no posthumous names. In middle antiquity there were titles, and after death they took conduct as posthumous names.' If it is like this, then sons would discuss fathers, ministers would discuss rulers. It is very meaningless; I will not accept them. From now on, abolish the posthumous naming system. I am the First Emperor. Later generations will count them: the Second Generation, Third Generation, until ten thousand generations, transmitting it endlessly.'
15
始皇推終始五德之傳，以為周得火德，秦代周德，從所不勝。 方今水德之始，改年始，朝賀皆自十月朔。 衣服旄旌節旗皆上黑。 數以六為紀，符、法冠皆六寸，而輿六尺，六尺為步，乘六馬。 更名河曰德水，以為水德之始。 剛毅戾深，事皆決於法，刻削毋仁恩和義，然後合五德之數。 於是急法，久者不赦。
The First Emperor traced the transmission of the Five Virtues from beginning to end, believing that Zhou received the fire virtue. Qin replaces Zhou's virtue, following what overcomes it. Just now is the beginning of the water virtue. Change the beginning of the year; all court congratulations begin from the first day of the tenth month. Clothes, yak-tail banners, staffs, and flags all have black on top. Numbers take six as the standard. Tallies and law caps are all six inches. The carriage is six chi, six chi equals a pace, and ride six horses. Change the name of the Yellow River to Virtue Water, as the beginning of the water virtue. Be firm, resolute, fierce, and profound. All matters are decided by law—harsh and strict without benevolence, kindness, harmony, or righteousness. Only then does it match the number of the Five Virtues. Thereupon the laws were made strict; long-standing cases were not pardoned.
16
丞相綰等言：「諸侯初破，燕、齊、荊地遠，不為置王，毋以填之。 請立諸子，唯上幸許。」 始皇下其議於群臣，群臣皆以為便。 廷尉李斯議曰：「周文武所封子弟同姓甚眾，然後屬疏遠，相攻擊如仇讎，諸侯更相誅伐，周天子弗能禁止。 今海內賴陛下神靈一統，皆為郡縣，諸子功臣以公賦稅重賞賜之，甚足易制。 天下無異意，則安寧之術也。 置諸侯不便。」 始皇曰：「天下共苦戰鬬不休，以有侯王。 賴宗廟，天下初定，又復立國，是樹兵也，而求其寧息，豈不難哉！ 廷尉議是。」
Chancellor Wan and others said, 'The feudal lords have just been broken. Yan, Qi, and Jing lands are far away. If we do not establish kings for them, there is nothing with which to fill them.' We request to establish various sons as kings. May Your Majesty fortunately permit it.' The First Emperor sent the discussion down to his ministers, and all the ministers considered it appropriate. Court Judge Li Si discussed and said, 'The sons and younger brothers of the same surname that Zhou Wen and Wu enfeoffed were very many. Then their connections became distant, they attacked each other like enemies, the feudal lords mutually executed and attacked each other, and the Zhou Son of Heaven was not able to prohibit it.' Now within the seas, relying on Your Majesty's divine spirit for unification, all are commanderies and counties. The various sons and meritorious ministers are heavily rewarded from the public taxes. It is very sufficient and easy to control.' If the world has no dissenting intentions, then this is the method of peace and tranquility.' Establishing feudal lords is inconvenient.' The First Emperor said, 'The world together suffers from unending battle and struggle, because there are hou and kings.' Relying on the ancestral temples, the world has just been settled, yet to establish states again—this is planting soldiers, and yet to seek its peace and rest, how can it not be difficult!' The Court Judge's discussion is correct.'
17
分天下以為三十六郡，郡置守、尉、監。 更名民曰「黔首」。 大酺。 收天下兵，聚之咸陽，銷以為鐘鐻，金人十二，重各千石，置廷宮中。 一法度衡石丈尺。 車同軌。 書同文字。 地東至海暨朝鮮，西至臨洮、羌中，南至北向戶，北據河為塞，并陰山至遼東。 徙天下豪富於咸陽十二萬戶。 諸廟及章臺、上林皆在渭南。 秦每破諸侯，寫放其宮室，作之咸陽北阪上，南臨渭，自雍門以東至涇、渭，殿屋複道周閣相屬。 所得諸侯美人鐘鼓，以充入之。
The world was divided into thirty-six commanderies. Each commandery established a governor, a commandery lieutenant, and a supervisor. The name of the people was changed to 'Qianshou.' There was a great celebration. Weapons from throughout the world were collected and gathered at Xianyang. They were melted down to make bells and chimes. Twelve golden statues were made, each weighing a thousand shi, and placed in the court palace. Laws, measures, balances, stones, zhang, and chi were unified. Chariots followed the same track width. Writing used the same characters. The empire extended east to the sea and Chaoxian, west to Lintao and Qiangzhong, south to Beixianghu. To the north it took the Yellow River as its barrier, extending along the Yin Mountains to Liaodong. One hundred twenty thousand households of the empire's powerful and wealthy were relocated to Xianyang. The various temples, Zhangtai, and Shanglin were all located south of the Wei River. Each time Qin defeated a feudal lord, they copied and modeled their palaces and chambers, building them on the northern slope of Xianyang, facing south toward the Wei. From Yong Gate eastward to the Jing and Wei rivers, hall houses, covered walkways, and winding pavilions were connected together. The beauties, bells, and drums obtained from the feudal lords were used to fill and adorn them.
18
二十七年，始皇巡隴西、北地，出雞頭山，過回中。 焉作信宮渭南，已更命信宮為極廟，象天極。 自極廟道通酈山，作甘泉前殿。 筑甬道，自咸陽屬之。 是歲，賜爵一級。 治馳道。
In the twenty-seventh year, the First Emperor toured Longxi and Beidi, emerged at Jitou Mountain, and passed through Huizhong. There he built the Xin Palace south of the Wei. He then renamed the Xin Palace as Ji Temple, imitating the pole of heaven. A road was built from the Ji Temple connecting to Li Mountain, and the Ganquan Front Hall was constructed. A covered walkway was built connecting it from Xianyang. That year, nobility ranks were granted one level higher. Gallop roads were maintained.
19
二十八年，始皇東行郡縣，上鄒嶧山。 立石，與魯諸儒生議，刻石頌秦德，議封禪望祭山川之事。 乃遂上泰山，立石，封，祠祀。 下，風雨暴至，休於樹下，因封其樹為五大夫。 禪梁父。 刻所立石，其辭曰：
In the twenty-eighth year, the First Emperor traveled east through the commanderies and counties, ascending Zouyishan. He erected a stone and discussed with various scholars from Lu. He carved on the stone to praise Qin's virtue, and discussed the matters of feng and shan sacrifices to offer sacrifices to the mountains and rivers. He then ascended Mount Tai, erected a stone, performed the feng sacrifice, and offered sacrificial rites. As he descended, violent wind and rain arrived. He rested under a tree, and therefore enfeoffed the tree as a Five Great Man. He performed the shan sacrifice at Liangfu. He carved on the erected stone, and its words said:
20
皇帝臨位，作制明法，臣下修飭。 二十有六年，初并天下，罔不賓服。 親巡遠方黎民，登茲泰山，周覽東極。 從臣思跡，本原事業，祗誦功德。 治道運行，諸產得宜，皆有法式。 大義休明，垂于後世，順承勿革。 皇帝躬聖，既平天下，不懈於治。 夙興夜寐，建設長利，專隆教誨。 訓經宣達，遠近畢理，咸承聖志。 貴賤分明，男女禮順，慎遵職事。 昭隔內外，靡不清凈，施于後嗣。 化及無窮，遵奉遺詔，永承重戒。
The Emperor assumes his position, establishes systems and clarifies laws; the ministers below mend their conduct. For twenty-six years, he initially united the world; none failed to submit and obey. He personally toured the distant regions and common people, ascended this Mount Tai, and comprehensively viewed the eastern extreme. The attendant ministers reflect on the traces, fundamentally originate the affairs, and respectfully recite the merits and virtue. The governing way operates; various productions obtain what is appropriate; all have laws and forms. Great righteousness is beautifully bright, extending to later generations; obey and receive it, do not change. The Emperor is personally holy; having already pacified the world, he is not slack in governing. Rising early and sleeping late, he establishes and builds long-lasting benefits, specializing in lofty teaching and instruction. Instructions and classics are proclaimed and reach; distant and near are all managed; all receive the holy will. Noble and base are clearly divided; male and female rites are proper; carefully comply with office matters. Brightly separating inner and outer, nothing is not clear and pure; bestowed to later descendants. The transformation reaches endlessly; comply with and offer the posthumous edict; eternally receive the heavy admonition.
21
於是乃并勃海以東，過黃、腄，窮成山，登之罘，立石頌秦德焉而去。
Thereupon he went along the Bohai Sea to the east, passed Huang and Zhu, reached the end of Chengshan, ascended Zhifu, erected a stone there praising Qin's virtue, and departed.
22
南登瑯邪，大樂之，留三月。 乃徙黔首三萬戶瑯邪臺下，復十二歲。 作瑯邪臺，立石刻，頌秦德，明得意。 曰：
He ascended Langye to the south, greatly delighted in it, and stayed three months. He then moved thirty thousand households of commoners below the Langye terrace, exempting them from taxes for twelve years. He made the Langye terrace, erected stone carvings, praised Qin's virtue, and made clear his obtained intentions. It said:
23
維二十八年，皇帝作始。 端平法度，萬物之紀。 以明人事，合同父子。 聖智仁義，顯白道理。 東撫東土，以省卒士。 事已大畢，乃臨于海。 皇帝之功，勸勞本事。 上農除末，黔首是富。 普天之下，摶心揖志。 器械一量，同書文字。 日月所照，舟輿所載。 皆終其命，莫不得意。 應時動事，是維皇帝。 匡飭異俗，陵水經地。 憂恤黔首，朝夕不懈。 除疑定法，咸知所辟。 方伯分職，諸治經易。 舉錯必當，莫不如畫。 皇帝之明，臨察四方。 尊卑貴賤，不踰次行。 瑯邪不容，皆務貞良。 細大盡力，莫敢怠荒。 遠邇辟隱，專務肅莊。 端直敦忠，事業有常。 皇帝之德，存定四極。 誅亂除害，興利致福。 節事以時，諸產繁殖。 黔首安寧，不用兵革。 六親相保，終無寇賊。 驩欣奉教，盡知法式。 六合之內，皇帝之土。 西涉流沙，南盡北戶。 東有東海，北過大夏。 人跡所至，無不臣者。 功蓋五帝，澤及牛馬。 莫不受德，各安其宇。
In the twenty-eighth year, the Emperor made the beginning. Upright and level are the laws and measures, the record of the ten thousand things. With this he clarifies human affairs, unites fathers and sons in harmony. Holy wisdom, benevolence, righteousness—manifest and clear are the principles and way. He strokes the eastern lands to inspect the soldiers and scholars. The affairs are already greatly finished; he then approaches the sea. The Emperor's merit encourages toil in fundamental affairs. Honoring agriculture and eliminating trade, the commoners thereby become rich. Under universal heaven, hearts unite and wills submit. Instruments and weapons have one measure; writing has the same characters. Wherever sun and moon shine, wherever boats and carriages carry. All complete their allotted span; none fail to obtain their intentions. Responding to the times and moving affairs—this is truly the Emperor. Aid and correct different customs; cross waters and measure the earth. He worries and pities the commoners, morning and evening without slackening. Remove doubts and establish laws; all know what to avoid. The fang bo divide their duties; the various administrations manage easily. Raising and lowering are necessarily proper; none are not as planned. The Emperor's brightness oversees and inspects the four directions. High and low, noble and base do not exceed the order in their conduct. Langye does not tolerate them; all strive to be chaste and good. Fine and large exhaust their strength; none dare be lazy or neglectful. Distant and near avoid concealment; they specialize in striving for solemn dignity. Upright and straight, sincere and loyal—their affairs have constancy. The Emperor's virtue preserves and stabilizes the four extremes. Execute chaos and remove harm; raise benefit and bring fortune. Restrain affairs according to the seasons; various productions multiply. The commoners are peaceful and tranquil; weapons and armor are not used. The six relatives mutually protect each other; there are finally no bandits or robbers. Joyfully and happily they receive the teaching; they completely know the laws and forms. Within the six directions, it is the Emperor's soil. West he fords the flowing sands; south he reaches the northern doors. East there is the Eastern Sea; north he passes Great Xia. Wherever human tracks reach, none are not subjects. His merit covers the Five Emperors; his favor reaches oxen and horses. None do not receive virtue; each is peaceful in their dwelling.
24
維秦王兼有天下，立名為皇帝，乃撫東土，至于瑯邪。 列侯武城侯王離、列侯通武侯王賁、倫侯建成侯趙亥、倫侯昌武侯成、倫侯武信侯馮毋擇、丞相隗林、丞相王綰、卿李斯、卿王戊、五大夫趙嬰、五大夫楊樛從，與議於海上。 曰：「古之帝者，地不過千里，諸侯各守其封域，或朝或否，相侵暴亂，殘伐不止，猶刻金石，以自為紀。 古之五帝三王，知教不同，法度不明，假威鬼神，以欺遠方，實不稱名，故不久長。 其身未歿，諸侯倍叛，法令不行。 今皇帝并一海內，以為郡縣，天下和平。 昭明宗廟，體道行德，尊號大成。 群臣相與誦皇帝功德，刻于金石，以為表經。」
Truly the King of Qin united and possessed the world, established his name as Emperor, then stroked the eastern lands, reaching Langye. The liehou Marquis of Wucheng Wang Li, the liehou Marquis of Tongwu Wang Ben, the lunhou Marquis of Jiancheng Zhao Hai, the lunhou Marquis of Changwu Cheng, the lunhou Marquis of Wuxin Feng Wuze, Chancellor Wei Lin, Chancellor Wang Wan, Minister Li Si, Minister Wang Wu, Five Great Man Zhao Ying, Five Great Man Yang Qiao followed, and discussed with him at the seaside. He said, 'The emperors of antiquity—their lands did not exceed a thousand li. The feudal lords each guarded their fief domains, some came to court and some did not, mutually invading in violent chaos, cruel attacks without stopping. Still they carved metal and stone to make records for themselves.' The Five Emperors and Three Kings of antiquity—their knowledge and teachings were different, their laws and measures were not clear. They borrowed the power of ghosts and spirits to deceive distant places. In reality they did not match their names, therefore they did not last long.' While their persons had not yet died, the feudal lords doubly rebelled; laws and commands were not carried out.' Now the Emperor unites the world within the seas as commanderies and counties; the world is peaceful.' He brightens and clarifies the ancestral temples, embodies the way and practices virtue; the honored title is greatly completed.' The ministers mutually recite the Emperor's merit and virtue, carve it on metal and stone, to be the standard classic.'
25
既已，齊人徐市等上書，言海中有三神山，名曰蓬萊、方丈、瀛洲，僊人居之。 請得齋戒，與童男女求之。 於是遣徐市發童男女數千人，入海求僊人。
Having done this, the Qi man Xu Shi and others presented a memorial saying that in the sea there are three divine mountains, named Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou, where immortals dwell. They requested to obtain fasting and purification, and seek them with virgin boys and girls. Thereupon he dispatched Xu Shi to send several thousand virgin boys and girls to enter the sea and seek the immortals.
26
始皇還，過彭城，齋戒禱祠，欲出周鼎泗水。 使千人沒水求之，弗得。 乃西南渡淮水，之衡山、南郡。 浮江，至湘山祠。 逢大風，幾不得渡。 上問博士曰：「湘君神？」 博士對曰：「聞之，堯女，舜之妻，而葬此。」 於是始皇大怒，使刑徒三千人皆伐湘山樹，赭其山。 上自南郡由武關歸。
The First Emperor returned, passed through Pengcheng, fasted and purified, prayed and sacrificed, wishing to bring out the Zhou tripod from the Si River. He made a thousand people dive into the water to seek it, but they did not obtain it. He then crossed the Huai River to the southwest, going to Mount Heng and Nang commandery. He floated down the Jiang and reached Mount Xiang to sacrifice. He encountered a great wind and almost could not cross. His Majesty asked the scholars, 'Is it the Xiangjun spirit?' The scholars answered, 'We have heard that it is Yao's daughter, Shun's wife, who is buried here.' Thereupon the First Emperor was greatly angered and made three thousand criminals all cut down the trees on Mount Xiang, reddening the mountain. His Majesty returned from Nang commandery by way of Wu Pass.
27
二十九年，始皇東游。 至陽武博狼沙中，為盜所驚。 求弗得，乃令天下大索十日。
In the twenty-ninth year, the First Emperor toured to the east. He reached Yangwu in the midst of Bolangsha, where he was startled by bandits. They sought but did not obtain them, so he ordered a great search throughout the world for ten days.
28
登之罘，刻石。 其辭曰：
He ascended Zhifu and carved on stone. Its words said:
29
維二十九年，時在中春，陽和方起。 皇帝東游，巡登之罘，臨照于海。 從臣嘉觀，原念休烈，追誦本始。 大聖作治，建定法度，顯箸綱紀。 外教諸侯，光施文惠，明以義理。 六國回辟，貪戾無厭，虐殺不已。 皇帝哀眾，遂發討師，奮揚武德。 義誅信行，威燀旁達，莫不賓服。 烹滅彊暴，振救黔首，周定四極。 普施明法，經緯天下，永為儀則。 大矣哉！ 宇縣之中，承順聖意。 群臣誦功，請刻于石，表垂于常式。
In the twenty-ninth year, at the time of mid-spring, yang harmony has just arisen. The Emperor tours to the east, patrols and ascends Zhifu, overlooks and is illuminated by the sea. The attendant ministers admire the view, trace and think of the auspicious achievements, pursue and recite the origins and beginning. The great sage makes governance, establishes and determines laws and measures, manifests and displays the outlines and order. Outwardly he teaches the feudal lords, brightly bestows cultured benevolence, clarifies with righteousness and principle. The six states are rebellious and evil, greedy and ferocious without satisfaction, cruelly killing without stopping. The Emperor pities the multitude, then sends a punitive army, arouses and raises martial virtue. Righteous executions are carried out trustworthily, awe and splendor broadly reach, none do not submit and obey. He boils and extinguishes the strong and violent, shakes and saves the commoners, comprehensively determines the four extremes. He universally bestows clear laws, orders the world, eternally as the model and standard. How great indeed! Within the universe and prefectures, they receive and obey the holy intention. The ministers recite the merit, request it carved on stone, tablet hung on the constant form.
30
其東觀曰：二十九年，皇帝春游，覽省遠方。 逮于海隅，遂登之罘，昭臨朝陽。 觀望廣麗，從臣咸念，原道至明。 聖法初興，清理疆內，外誅暴彊。 武威旁暢，振動四極，禽滅六王。 闡并天下，甾害絕息，永偃戎兵。 皇帝明德，經理宇內，視聽不怠。 作立大義，昭設備器，咸有章旗。 職臣遵分，各知所行，事無嫌疑。 黔首改化，遠邇同度，臨古絕尤。 常職既定，後嗣循業，長承聖治。 群臣嘉德，祗誦聖烈，請刻之罘。
Its eastern view says: In the twenty-ninth year, the Emperor tours in spring, views and inspects distant places. He reaches to the sea corner, then ascends Zhifu, brightly approaches the morning sun. They view and gaze at the broad and beautiful; the attendant ministers all think, trace the way to utmost clarity. Holy laws initially arose, cleared and purified within the borders, outward executed the violent and strong. Martial might broadly spreads, shakes and moves the four extremes, captures and extinguishes the six kings. He clarifies and unites the world; harm and injury absolutely cease; eternally lays aside weapons and soldiers. The Emperor's bright virtue manages and regulates within the universe; sight and hearing are not slack. He makes and establishes great righteousness, brightly prepares equipment and instruments, all have chapter and banners. Office ministers comply with divisions, each knows what to carry out, matters without suspicion or doubt. The commoners are transformed and changed; distant and near have the same measure; facing the ancient, he cuts off the exceptional. Constant offices are already determined; later descendants follow the enterprise; long receive holy governance. The ministers praise the virtue, respectfully recite the holy achievements, request it carved on Zhifu.
31
旋，遂之瑯邪，道上黨入。
He turned back, then went to Langye, entering by way of Shangdang.
32
三十年，無事。
In the thirtieth year, there were no affairs.
33
三十一年十二月，更名臘曰「嘉平」。 賜黔首裏六石米，二羊。 始皇為微行咸陽，與武士四人俱，夜出逢盜蘭池，見窘，武士擊殺盜，關中大索二十日。 米石千六百。
In the thirty-first year, twelfth month, he changed the name of la to 'Jiapin.' He granted the commoners six shi of rice per li and two sheep. The First Emperor made a secret journey in Xianyang, together with four martial warriors. Going out at night, they encountered bandits at Lan Pool. Seeing him distressed, the martial warriors struck and killed the bandits. There was a great search in Guanzhong for twenty days. Rice was one thousand six hundred per shi.
34
三十二年，始皇之碣石，使燕人盧生求羨門、高誓。 刻碣石門。 壞城郭，決通隄防。 其辭曰：
In the thirty-second year, the First Emperor went to Jieshi and had the Yan man Lu Sheng seek Xianmen and Gaoshi. He carved on Jieshi Gate. He destroyed city walls and breached dike defenses to connect them. Its words said:
35
遂興師旅，誅戮無道，為逆滅息。 武殄暴逆，文復無罪，庶心咸服。 惠論功勞，賞及牛馬，恩肥土域。 皇帝奮威，德并諸侯，初一泰平。 墮壞城郭，決通川防，夷去險阻。 地勢既定，黎庶無繇，天下咸撫。 男樂其疇，女修其業，事各有序。 惠被諸產，久并來田，莫不安所。 群臣誦烈，請刻此石，垂著儀矩。
He then aroused troops and armies, executed and slaughtered the unprincipled, extinguished rebelliousness and caused it to cease. Martially he extinguished the violent and rebellious; civilly he restored the innocent; the populace's hearts all submitted. Benevolently he evaluated merit and labor; rewards reached oxen and horses; favor enriched the soil domain. The Emperor exerted his might; his virtue united the feudal lords; initially unified great peace. He destroyed city walls, breached and connected river defenses, leveled and removed dangers and obstacles. The earth's situation already determined, the common people without worries, the world all pacified. Males take pleasure in their fields; females cultivate their occupations; matters each have order. Benevolence covers various productions; long united, they come to the fields; none are not peaceful in their places. The ministers recite the achievements, request this stone be carved, hung and displayed as model and standard.
36
因使韓終、侯公、石生求僊人不死之藥。 始皇巡北邊，從上郡入。 燕人盧生使入海還，以鬼神事，因奏錄圖書，曰「亡秦者胡也」。 始皇乃使將軍蒙恬發兵三十萬人北擊胡，略取河南地。
Therefore he had Han Zhong, Hou Gong, and Shi Sheng seek the immortals' medicine of immortality. The First Emperor toured the northern border, entering from Shang commandery. The Yan man Lu Sheng was made to enter the sea and return, bringing matters of ghosts and spirits. He then presented recorded writings, saying 'The one who will destroy Qin is Hu.' The First Emperor then had General Meng Tian dispatch three hundred thousand troops to strike north at the Hu, roughly taking the Henan lands.
37
三十三年，發諸嘗逋亡人、贅婿、賈人略取陸梁地，為桂林、象郡、南海，以適遣戍。 西北斥逐匈奴。 自榆中并河以東，屬之陰山，以為（三）［四］十四縣，城河上為塞。 又使蒙恬渡河取斑闕、（陶）［陽］山、北假中，筑亭障以逐戎人。 徙謫，實之初縣。 禁不得祠。 明星出西方。 三十四年，適治獄吏不直者，筑長城及南越地。
In the thirty-third year, he dispatched various people who had once fled, debt sons-in-law, and merchants to roughly take the Luliang lands, establishing Guilin, Xiang commandery, and Nanhai, suitably sending them as garrisons. He drove out the Xiongnu to the northwest. From Yuzhong along the river to the east, connected to the Yin Mountains, made into forty-four counties, walled the river as a barrier. Again he had Meng Tian cross the river to take Banque, Yangshan, and Beijiazhong, building pavilion barriers to drive out the Rong people. He moved the banished and filled the new counties with them. He prohibited them from not being able to sacrifice. A bright star appeared in the west. In the thirty-fourth year, he punished the prison officials who handled cases unjustly, making them build the Great Wall and work in the Nanyue lands.
38
始皇置酒咸陽宮，博士七十人前為壽。 仆射周青臣進頌曰：「他時秦地不過千里，賴陛下神靈明聖，平定海內，放逐蠻夷，日月所照，莫不賓服。 以諸侯為郡縣，人人自安樂，無戰爭之患，傳之萬世。 自上古不及陛下威德。」 始皇悅。 博士齊人淳于越進曰：「臣聞殷周之王千餘歲，封子弟功臣，自為枝輔。 今陛下有海內，而子弟為匹夫，卒有田常、六卿之臣，無輔拂，何以相救哉？ 事不師古而能長久者，非所聞也。 今青臣又面諛以重陛下之過，非忠臣。」 始皇下其議。 丞相李斯曰：「五帝不相復，三代不相襲，各以治，非其相反，時變異也。 今陛下創大業，建萬世之功，固非愚儒所知。 且越言乃三代之事，何足法也？ 異時諸侯并爭，厚招游學。 今天下已定，法令出一，百姓當家則力農工，士則學習法令辟禁。 今諸生不師今而學古，以非當世，惑亂黔首。 丞相臣斯昧死言：古者天下散亂，莫之能一，是以諸侯并作，語皆道古以害今，飾虛言以亂實，人善其所私學，以非上之所建立。 今皇帝并有天下，別黑白而定一尊。 私學而相與非法教，人聞令下，則各以其學議之，入則心非，出則巷議，夸主以為名，異取以為高，率群下以造謗。 如此弗禁，則主勢降乎上，黨與成乎下。 禁之便。 臣請史官非秦記皆燒之。 非博士官所職，天下敢有藏詩、書、百家語者，悉詣守、尉雜燒之。 有敢偶語詩書者棄市。 以古非今者族。 吏見知不舉者與同罪。 令下三十日不燒，黥為城旦。 所不去者，醫藥卜筮種樹之書。 若欲有學法令，以吏為師。」 制曰：「可。」
The First Emperor held a banquet in the Xianyang palace; seventy scholars came before him to wish longevity. The Pushed Zhou Qingchen advanced and praised, saying, 'In other times, Qin's lands did not exceed a thousand li. Relying on Your Majesty's divine spirit and clear holiness, you pacified and settled within the seas, drove out the barbarian Yi. Wherever sun and moon shone, none failed to submit and obey.' He made the feudal lords into commanderies and counties; people each are peacefully happy themselves, without the troubles of warfare, transmitting it to ten thousand generations.' From high antiquity they do not reach Your Majesty's might and virtue.' The First Emperor was pleased. The scholar, the Qi man Chunyu Yue, advanced and said, 'I have heard that the kings of Yin and Zhou lasted over a thousand years. They enfeoffed sons, younger brothers, and meritorious ministers, making them branch supports for themselves.' Now Your Majesty possesses within the seas, yet your sons and younger brothers are common men. Suddenly there may be ministers like Tian Chang or the Six Ministers, with no support or brush—how will you mutually save each other?' Affairs that do not take the ancient as teacher yet are able to last long—that is not what I have heard.' Now Qingchen also flatters to your face to increase Your Majesty's errors—he is not a loyal minister.' The First Emperor sent down their discussion. Chancellor Li Si said, 'The Five Emperors did not mutually repeat each other, the Three Dynasties did not mutually follow each other. Each governed with their own ways; it is not that they opposed and reversed each other—times changed and were different.' Now Your Majesty has created a great enterprise and established merit for ten thousand generations. This is certainly not known by foolish scholars.' Moreover, Yue's words are matters of the Three Dynasties—what is sufficient to model after?' In different times, the feudal lords contended together and thickly recruited wandering scholars.' Now the world is already determined, laws and commands come out as one. When common people are at home, they exert themselves in agriculture and labor; scholars study and learn the laws and commands, avoiding prohibitions.' Now the various scholars do not take the present as teacher but study the ancient, in order to oppose the current age and confuse and disorder the commoners.' Chancellor Minister Si, risking death, speaks: In ancient times the world was scattered and chaotic, none could unify it. Therefore the feudal lords arose together; their words all spoke of the ancient to harm the present, adorned empty words to disorder reality. People favored their private studies to oppose what their superiors had established.' Now the Emperor has united and possesses the world, distinguishes black and white and determines one honored.' Private studies mutually engage in illegal teachings. When people hear commands descend, each discusses them with their studies. When they enter, their hearts oppose; when they exit, they discuss in alleys. They boast of their masters for names, take different things as high, and lead the group below to make slander.' If like this it is not prohibited, then the ruler's power will descend to the superiors, and factions and alliances will form below.' Prohibiting it is convenient.' I request that the court historians burn all records that are not of Qin.' Those not in the charge of the scholar officials—throughout the world, those who dare to hide poems, books, and the words of the Hundred Schools, all go to the commandery governors and commandery lieutenants to mix and burn them.' Those who dare to discuss poems and books in pairs shall be abandoned in the market.' Those who use the ancient to oppose the present shall be clanned.' Officials who see and know but do not report shall be with the same crime.' If within thirty days of the command descending they do not burn, tattoo them as city morning.' Those not to be removed are books of medicine, divination, and planting trees.' If they desire to study laws and commands, take officials as teachers.' The decree said, 'Approved.'
39
三十五年，除道，道九原抵雲陽，塹山堙谷，直通之。 於是始皇以為咸陽人多，先王之宮廷小，吾聞周文王都豐，武王都鎬，豐鎬之閒，帝王之都也。 乃營作朝宮渭南上林苑中。 先作前殿阿房，東西五百步，南北五十丈，上可以坐萬人，下可以建五丈旗。 周馳為閣道，自殿下直抵南山。 表南山之顛以為闕。 為復道，自阿房渡渭，屬之咸陽，以象天極閣道絕漢抵營室也。 阿房宮未成； 成，欲更擇令名名之。 作宮阿房，故天下謂之阿房宮。 隱宮徒刑者七十餘萬人，乃分作阿房宮，或作麗山。 發北山石槨，乃寫蜀、荊地材皆至。 關中計宮三百，關外四百餘。 於是立石東海上朐界中，以為秦東門。 因徙三萬家麗邑，五萬家雲陽，皆復不事十歲。
In the thirty-fifth year, roads were cleared. The road from Jiuyuan reached Yunyang; mountains were moated and valleys filled to directly connect them. Thereupon the First Emperor thought that Xianyang had many people, but the former kings' palace courts were small. I have heard that Zhou King Wen's capital was Feng, King Wu's capital was Hao. Between Feng and Hao is where emperors and kings have their capitals. He then planned and made a court palace in the Shanglin Park south of the Wei. First he made the front hall Epang, five hundred paces east-west, fifty zhang north-south. Above it could seat ten thousand people; below it could erect five zhang flags. He circled and galloped as a covered way, from below the hall straight to the southern mountain. He marked the southern mountain's summit as a que. He made a covered way from Epang crossing the Wei, connecting to Xianyang, to imitate the heaven extreme's covered way that cuts across the Han and reaches Yingshi. The Epang Palace was not completed; When completed, he wished moreover to choose a good name to name it. He made the palace Epang, therefore the world called it the Epang Palace. The secret palace sent more than seven hundred thousand criminals, then divided them to make the Epang Palace, or to work on Lishan. He sent for Beishan stone coffins, then modeled Shu and Jing lands' timbers—all arrived. In Guanzhong there were counted three hundred palaces; outside the passes four hundred more. Thereupon he erected a stone on the eastern sea in the boundary of Shangqu, to be Qin's eastern gate. Therefore he moved thirty thousand households to Liyi, fifty thousand households to Yunyang, all exempting them from service for ten years.
40
盧生說始皇曰：「臣等求芝奇藥僊者常弗遇，類物有害之者。 方中，人主時為微行以辟惡鬼，惡鬼辟，真人至。 人主所居而人臣知之，則害於神。 真人者，入水不濡，入火不爇，陵雲氣，與天地久長。 今上治天下，未能恬倓。 願上所居宮毋令人知，然後不死之藥殆可得也。」 於是始皇曰：「吾慕真人，自謂『真人』，不稱『朕』。」 乃令咸陽之旁二百里內宮觀二百七十復道甬道相連，帷帳鐘鼓美人充之，各案署不移徙。 行所幸，有言其處者，罪死。 始皇帝幸梁山宮，從山上見丞相車騎眾，弗善也。 中人或告丞相，丞相後損車騎。 始皇怒曰：「此中人泄吾語。」 案問莫服。 當是時，詔捕諸時在旁者，皆殺之。 自是後莫知行之所在。 聽事，群臣受決事，悉於咸陽宮。
Lu Sheng persuaded the First Emperor, saying, 'We ministers seek ling and strange medicines for immortals but often do not encounter them. Similar things have those that harm them.' In the midst, the person lord sometimes makes secret journeys to avoid evil ghosts. Evil ghosts avoid, true people arrive.' If the person lord's dwelling is known by person ministers, then it harms the spirits.' True people enter water without getting wet, enter fire without being scorched, tread on cloud qi, and are long-lasting with heaven and earth.' Now His Majesty governs the world, but has not yet achieved tranquil calm.' I wish His Majesty's dwelling palace not to let people know it, then the medicine of not dying can almost be obtained.' Thereupon the First Emperor said, 'I admire true people. I call myself "True Person," not "I."' He then ordered that within two hundred li beside Xianyang, two hundred seventy palace buildings with covered ways and walled ways connected, filled with curtains, canopies, bells, drums, and beauties, each according to their names not to be moved or transferred. Where he travels and what he favors—if there are those who speak of its place, the crime is death. The First Emperor favored the Liangshan Palace. From the mountain top he saw that the chancellor's chariot cavalry were many—it was not good. Inner people or told the chancellor; afterwards the chancellor reduced his chariot cavalry. The First Emperor was angered and said, 'This inner person leaked my words.' He investigated and questioned, but none confessed. At that time, by edict he captured all those who were then at his side, and killed them all. From this time on, none knew the location of his travels. He listened to affairs; the ministers received decided affairs, all at the Xianyang Palace.
41
侯生盧生相與謀曰：「始皇為人，天性剛戾自用，起諸侯，并天下，意得欲從，以為自古莫及己。 專任獄吏，獄吏得親幸。 博士雖七十人，特備員弗用。 丞相諸大臣皆受成事，倚辨於上。 上樂以刑殺為威，天下畏罪持祿，莫敢盡忠。 上不聞過而日驕，下懾伏謾欺以取容。 秦法，不得兼方不驗，輒死。 然候星氣者至三百人，皆良士，畏忌諱諛，不敢端言其過。 天下之事無小大皆決於上，上至以衡石量書，日夜有呈，不中呈不得休息。 貪於權勢至如此，未可為求僊藥。」 於是乃亡去。 始皇聞亡，乃大怒曰：「吾前收天下書不中用者盡去之。 悉召文學方術士甚眾，欲以興太平，方士欲練以求奇藥。 今聞韓眾去不報，徐市等費以巨萬計，終不得藥，徒姦利相告日聞。 盧生等吾尊賜之甚厚，今乃誹謗我，以重吾不德也。 諸生在咸陽者，吾使人廉問，或為訞言以亂黔首。」 於是使御史悉案問諸生，諸生傳相告引，乃自除犯禁者四百六十餘人，皆阬之咸陽，使天下知之，以懲後。 益發謫徙邊。 始皇長子扶蘇諫曰：「天下初定，遠方黔首未集，諸生皆誦法孔子，今上皆重法繩之，臣恐天下不安。 唯上察之。」 始皇怒，使扶蘇北監蒙恬於上郡。
Hou Sheng and Lu Sheng mutually plotted and said, 'The First Emperor as a person—his heavenly nature is firm, fierce, and self-willed. He rose from the feudal lords, united the world, his intentions obtained and desires followed, thinking that from ancient times none reached himself.' He specially employed prison officials; the prison officials obtained close favor.' Though there are seventy scholars, they are specially prepared members but not used.' The chancellor and various ministers all receive completed affairs, rely on and argue with His Majesty.' His Majesty takes pleasure in punishment and killing as might; the world fears crime and holds salaries, none dares exhaust loyalty.' His Majesty does not hear faults but daily becomes arrogant; below they are terrified, submissive, falsely deceive to gain favor.' Qin laws: one may not combine prescriptions that are not verified; then death.' However, those who observe star qi number up to three hundred people, all good scholars. They feared and avoided taboos, flattered, and did not dare uprightly speak of his faults.' World affairs, no matter small or large, are all decided at His Majesty. His Majesty even weighs writings with balance stones; day and night there are submissions. If it does not hit the submission, he cannot rest.' He is greedy for power and influence to such an extent; it is not yet possible for him to seek immortal medicine.' Thereupon they fled and went away. The First Emperor heard they had fled, then was greatly angered and said, 'I previously collected the world's books that were not useful and removed them all.' He completely summoned literature and prescription scholars in great numbers, wishing to raise great peace with them. The prescription scholars wished to refine to seek strange medicines.' Now I hear that Han Zhong has gone and not reported; Xu Shi and others have expended in the count of huge ten thousands, but finally did not obtain the medicine. Only fraud and profit are mutually told and daily heard.' Lu Sheng and others—I honored and granted them very thickly. Now they actually slander me, to increase my lack of virtue.' The various scholars in Xianyang—I made people investigate and ask them, perhaps they made rebellious words to disorder the qianshou.' Thereupon he had the imperial secretary completely investigate and question the various scholars. The various scholars transmitted and mutually told, implicating each other. Then he self-eliminated those who violated prohibitions—four hundred sixty more people—all pitting them in Xianyang, making the world know it, to punish later. He moreover sent banished and transferred to the border. The First Emperor's eldest son Fusu remonstrated and said, 'The world has just been determined; the qianshou of distant places have not gathered. The various scholars all recite and follow Confucius. Now His Majesty restrains them all with heavy laws. I fear the world will not be peaceful.' Only may Your Majesty examine it.' The First Emperor was angered and had Fusu go north to oversee Meng Tian at Shang commandery.
42
三十六年，熒惑守心。 有墜星下東郡，至地為石，黔首或刻其石曰「始皇帝死而地分」。 始皇聞之，遣御史逐問，莫服，盡取石旁居人誅之，因燔銷其石。 始皇不樂，使博士為僊真人詩，及行所游天下，傳令樂人歌弦之。 秋，使者從關東夜過華陰平舒道，有人持璧遮使者曰：「為吾遺滈池君。」 因言曰：「今年祖龍死。」 使者問其故，因忽不見，置其璧去。 使者奉璧具以聞。 始皇默然良久，曰：「山鬼固不過知一歲事也。」 退言曰：「祖龍者，人之先也。」 使御府視璧，乃二十八年行渡江所沈璧也。 於是始皇卜之，卦得游徙吉。 遷北河榆中三萬家。 拜爵一級。
In the thirty-sixth year, Yinghuo guarded the heart. There was a falling star that descended to Dong commandery, reached the earth and became a stone. The qianshou or carved on its stone, 'The First Emperor dies and the earth divides.' The First Emperor heard it and dispatched the imperial secretary to pursue and ask. None confessed. He completely took the dwellers beside the stone and executed them, then burned and melted its stone. The First Emperor was not happy. He had the scholars compose immortal true person poems, and wherever he traveled and toured the world, he transmitted commands to musicians to sing and string them. In autumn, an envoy from east of the pass, at night passed the Huayin Pingshu road. Someone holding a jade disk blocked the envoy and said, 'For me, leave it to the Fen Pool jun.' He then said, 'This year the ancestral dragon dies.' The envoy asked its reason, then he suddenly was not seen. He placed its jade disk and left. The envoy offered the jade disk and completely reported it. The First Emperor was silent for a long time, then said, 'Mountain ghosts certainly do not exceed knowing one year's matters.' He retired and spoke, saying, 'Ancestral dragons are people's ancestors.' He had the imperial storehouse examine the jade disk; it was the jade disk sunk when traveling and crossing the Jiang in the twenty-eighth year. Thereupon the First Emperor divined it; the hexagram obtained travel and move as auspicious. He moved thirty thousand households north of the river to Yuzhong. He conferred nobility one level.
43
三十七年十月癸丑，始皇出游。 左丞相斯從，右丞相去疾守。 少子胡亥愛慕請從，上許之。 十一月，行至雲夢，望祀虞舜於九疑山。 浮江下，觀籍柯，渡海渚。 過丹陽，至錢唐。 臨浙江，水波惡，乃西百二十里從狹中渡。 上會稽，祭大禹，望于南海，而立石刻頌秦德。 其文曰：
In the thirty-seventh year, tenth month, Gui Chou day, the First Emperor went out on tour. Left Chancellor Si followed; Right Chancellor Qu Ji guarded. His youngest son Huhai, loving and admiring, requested to follow. His Majesty permitted it. In the eleventh month, he traveled to Yunmeng and hoped to sacrifice to Yu Shun at Jiuyi Mountain. He floated down the Jiang, viewed Jike, and crossed Haizhu. He passed Danyang and reached Qiantang. He approached the Zhejiang; the water waves were fierce. He then went west one hundred twenty li and crossed from the narrow middle. He ascended Kuaiji, sacrificed to Da Yu, gazed toward the Nanhai, and erected stone carvings praising Qin's virtue. Its text said:
44
皇帝休烈，平一宇內，德惠修長。 三十有七年，親巡天下，周覽遠方。 遂登會稽，宣省習俗，黔首齋莊。 群臣誦功，本原事跡，追首高明。 秦聖臨國，始定刑名，顯陳舊章。 初平法式，審別職任，以立恒常。 六王專倍，貪戾傲猛，率眾自彊。 暴虐恣行，負力而驕，數動甲兵。 陰通閒使，以事合從，行為辟方。 內飾詐謀，外來侵邊，遂起禍殃。 義威誅之，殄熄暴悖，亂賊滅亡。 聖德廣密，六合之中，被澤無疆。 皇帝并宇，兼聽萬事，遠近畢清。 運理群物，考驗事實，各載其名。 貴賤并通，善否陳前，靡有隱情。 飾省宣義，有子而嫁，倍死不貞。 防隔內外，禁止淫泆，男女絜誠。 夫為寄豭，殺之無罪，男秉義程。 妻為逃嫁，子不得母，咸化廉清。 大治濯俗，天下承風，蒙被休經。 皆遵度軌，和安敦勉，莫不順令。 黔首修絜，人樂同則，嘉保太平。 後敬奉法，常治無極，輿舟不傾。 從臣誦烈，請刻此石，光垂休銘。
The Emperor's beautiful achievements pacified and unified within the universe; virtue and benevolence are long extended. For thirty-seven years, he personally toured the world, comprehensively viewing distant places. He then ascended Kuaiji, proclaimed and inspected customs and habits; the commoners are fasting and solemn. The ministers recite the merit, fundamentally originate the affairs and traces, pursue and honor the high and bright. The Qin sage governed the state, began determining punishments and names, manifestly displayed the old statutes. Initially he leveled the laws and forms, carefully distinguished office responsibilities, to establish the constant and regular. The six kings monopolized and were rebellious, greedy and ferocious, arrogant and fierce, led multitudes and strengthened themselves. Violent and cruel, unrestrained in conduct, relied on strength and were arrogant, frequently moved armored soldiers. Secretly connected idle envoys, with matters allied together, actions were evil and square. Internally adorned fraudulent plots, externally came and invaded borders, then arose calamities and misfortunes. With righteous might he executed them, extinguished the violent and perverse, chaos and traitors extinguished and perished. Holy virtue is broad and dense; in the midst of the six directions, covered with favor boundless. The Emperor united the universe, comprehensively listened to myriad matters; distant and near are all clear. He moved and managed all things, examined and verified matters and facts; each carried its name. Noble and base equally passed; good and bad displayed before; none had hidden feelings. Adorned and examined, proclaimed righteousness; had sons and married, doubled death not chaste. Prevented and separated inner and outer, prohibited licentiousness and dissipation; male and female pure and sincere. Husband made entrusted boar, killed him no crime; male upheld righteousness measure. Wife made fleeing marry, son not able mother; all transformed frugal and pure. Great governance cleansed customs; the world received the wind; covered and bestowed beautiful classics. All followed measure and tracks; harmonious, peaceful, sincere, and encouraged; none did not obey commands. The commoners cultivated purity; people were happy with the same standards; praised and preserved great peace. Later they respectfully served the laws; constant governance without limit; carriages and boats not tilted. The attendant ministers recited the achievements, requested this stone be carved, bright and hung with beautiful inscription.
45
還過吳，從江乘渡。 并海上，北至瑯邪。 方士徐市等入海求神藥，數歲不得，費多，恐譴，乃詐曰：「蓬萊藥可得，然常為大鮫魚所苦，故不得至，願請善射與俱，見則以連弩射之。」 始皇夢與海神戰，如人狀。 問占夢，博士曰：「水神不可見，以大魚蛟龍為候。 今上禱祠備謹，而有此惡神，當除去，而善神可致。」 乃令入海者齎捕巨魚具，而自以連弩候大魚出射之。 自瑯邪北至榮成山，弗見。 至之罘，見巨魚，射殺一魚。 遂并海西。
He returned and passed Wu, crossed from Jiangcheng. Along the seaside, north to Langye. The prescription scholars Xu Shi and others entered the sea to seek divine medicines. Several years they did not obtain them; expenses were many. Fearing reprimand, they then deceived and said, 'Penglai medicines can be obtained, however they are often harmed by great jiao fish, therefore cannot reach. We wish to request good shooters to come with us; when seen, shoot them with linked crossbows.' The First Emperor dreamed he battled with the sea god, in human form. He asked to interpret the dream. The scholars said, 'Water gods cannot be seen; they use great fish, jiao, and dragons as signs.' Now His Majesty has prayed and sacrificed with prepared respectfulness, yet there is this evil spirit. It should be removed, and good spirits can be brought.' He then ordered those who entered the sea to carry tools for capturing giant fish, and himself with a linked crossbow waited for great fish to appear and shot them. From Langye north to Rongcheng Mountain, nothing was seen. He reached Zhifu, saw giant fish, and shot and killed one fish. He then went along the sea to the west.
46
至平原津而病。 始皇惡言死，群臣莫敢言死事。 上病益甚，乃為璽書賜公子扶蘇曰：「與喪會咸陽而葬。」 書已封，在中車府令趙高行符璽事所，未授使者。 七月丙寅，始皇崩於沙丘平臺。 丞相斯為上崩在外，恐諸公子及天下有變，乃祕之，不發喪。 棺載轀涼車中，故幸宦者參乘，所至上食。 百官奏事如故，宦者輒從轀涼車中可其奏事。 獨子胡亥、趙高及所幸宦者五六人知上死。 趙高故嘗教胡亥書及獄律令法事，胡亥私幸之。 高乃與公子胡亥、丞相斯陰謀破去始皇所封書賜公子扶蘇者，而更詐為丞相斯受始皇遺詔沙丘，立子胡亥為太子。 更為書賜公子扶蘇、蒙恬，數以罪，（其）賜死。 語具在李斯傳中。 行，遂從井陘抵九原。 會暑，上轀車臭，乃詔從官令車載一石鮑魚，以亂其臭。
He reached Pingyuan Ford and became ill. The First Emperor hated speaking of death; none of the ministers dared speak of death matters. His Majesty's illness became increasingly severe. He then made a sealed letter granting to Prince Fusu, saying, 'Meet with the mourning at Xianyang and bury.' The letter was already sealed, at the place where the Middle Carriage Bureau Chief Zhao Gao administered tally and seal matters, not yet given to the envoy. In the seventh month, Bingyin day, the First Emperor died at the Shaqiu terrace platform. Chancellor Si, because His Majesty died outside, feared that the various princes and the world might have changes, then kept it secret and did not announce the mourning. The coffin was loaded in the hearse cool carriage; former favored eunuchs accompanied the ride. Wherever they reached, food was offered. The hundred officials memorialized affairs as before; the eunuchs then from the hearse cool carriage approved their memorialized affairs. Only the son Huhai, Zhao Gao, and five or six favored eunuchs knew of His Majesty's death. Zhao Gao had previously often taught Huhai writings and prison laws, commands, and affairs. Huhai privately favored him. Gao then secretly plotted with Prince Huhai and Chancellor Si to break away the First Emperor's sealed letter granting to Prince Fusu, and moreover deceived to make Chancellor Si receive the First Emperor's testament at Shaqiu, establishing the son Huhai as crown prince. He moreover made a letter granting to Prince Fusu and Meng Tian, enumerating their crimes, granting them death. The words are fully in the Li Si biography. They traveled, then from Jingxing reached Jiuyuan. They met summer; His Majesty's hearse carriage stank. He then edicted the attendant officials to command the carriages to load one shi of dried fish, to mask its stench.
47
行從直道至咸陽，發喪。 太子胡亥襲位，為二世皇帝。 九月，葬始皇酈山。 始皇初即位，穿治酈山，及并天下，天下徒送詣七十餘萬人，穿三泉，下銅而致槨，宮觀百官奇器珍怪徙臧滿之。 令匠作機弩矢，有所穿近者輒射之。 以水銀為百川江河大海，機相灌輸，上具天文，下具地理。 以人魚膏為燭，度不滅者久之。 二世曰：「先帝後宮非有子者，出焉不宜。」 皆令從死，死者甚眾。 葬既已下，或言工匠為機，臧皆知之，臧重即泄。 大事畢，已臧，閉中羨，下外羨門，盡閉工匠臧者，無復出者。 樹草木以象山。
They traveled from the straight road to Xianyang and issued mourning. Crown Prince Huhai ascended the throne and became the Second Generation Emperor. In the ninth month, they buried the First Emperor at Lishan. When the First Emperor initially ascended the throne, he excavated and treated Lishan. When he united the world, convicts sent from the world reached over seven hundred thousand people. They excavated three springs, lowered copper and brought the coffin. Palace buildings, hundred officials' strange vessels, precious monsters—they moved and stored, filling it. He commanded artisans to make machine crossbows and arrows; those who approached the excavations were then shot. He used mercury to represent the hundred streams, the Jiang, rivers, and great seas, with machines that poured into each other. Above were equipped the heavenly patterns; below were equipped the earthly forms. He used mermaid fat for candles, and those that did not extinguish lasted a long time. The Second Emperor said, 'The First Emperor's rear palace women who do not have sons—it is not proper to send them out.' All were ordered to follow in death; those who died were very many. When the burial had already descended, some said the artisans had made machines, and all the stored valuables knew it—the valuables were heavy and would leak. The great matters were finished, already stored, the middle passages closed, the outer passage doors lowered, all the artisans and stored ones completely closed in, with none able to exit again. He planted grass and trees to resemble mountains.
48
二世皇帝元年，年二十一。 趙高為郎中令，任用事。 二世下詔，增始皇寢廟犧牲及山川百祀之禮。 令群臣議尊始皇廟。 群臣皆頓首言曰：「古者天子七廟，諸侯五，大夫三，雖萬世世不軼毀。 今始皇為極廟，四海之內皆獻貢職，增犧牲，禮咸備，毋以加。 先王廟或在西雍，或在咸陽。 天子儀當獨奉酌祠始皇廟。 自襄公已下軼毀。 所置凡七廟。 群臣以禮進祠，以尊始皇廟為帝者祖廟。 皇帝復自稱『朕』。」
In the first year of the Second Emperor, he was twenty-one years old. Zhao Gao served as the Chamberlain for Attendants, responsible for handling affairs. The Second Emperor issued an edict increasing the sacrifices at the First Emperor's sleeping temples and the hundred rites for mountains and rivers. He commanded the ministers to discuss honoring the First Emperor's temple. All the ministers kowtowed and said, 'In ancient times, emperors had seven temples, feudal lords five, grand masters three, though ten thousand generations did not exceed destruction. Now the First Emperor is the extreme temple; within the four seas all offer tribute and duties, increased sacrifices, rites all prepared—nothing can be added. Former kings' temples are either in West Yong or in Xianyang. The emperor's ceremonies should alone serve libations and sacrifice at the First Emperor's temple. From Duke Xiang downward they have exceeded destruction. What has been established totals seven temples. The ministers advanced sacrifices with rites, honoring the First Emperor's temple as the ancestral temple of emperors. The emperor again called himself 'I.'
49
二世與趙高謀曰：「朕年少，初即位，黔首未集附。 先帝巡行郡縣，以示彊，威服海內。 今晏然不巡行，即見弱，毋以臣畜天下。」 春，二世東行郡縣，李斯從。 到碣石，并海，南至會稽，而盡刻始皇所立刻石，石旁著大臣從者名，以章先帝成功盛德焉：
The Second Emperor plotted with Zhao Gao, saying, 'I am young and have just ascended the position; the common people have not yet gathered and attached. The First Emperor toured the commanderies and counties to show strength and awe all within the seas into submission. Now if I peacefully do not tour, I will be seen as weak, unable to minister and herd the world.' In spring, the Second Emperor traveled east through the commanderies and counties, with Li Si following. He reached Jieshi, went along the sea, south to Kuaiji, and completely carved on the stones what the First Emperor had immediately carved, with the names of ministers and followers inscribed on the sides of the stones, to manifest the First Emperor's successes and flourishing virtue:
50
皇帝曰：「金石刻盡始皇帝所為也。 今襲號而金石刻辭不稱始皇帝，其於久遠也如後嗣為之者，不稱成功盛德。」 丞相臣斯、臣去疾、御史大夫臣德昧死言：「臣請具刻詔書刻石，因明白矣。 臣昧死請。」 制曰：「可。」
The emperor said, 'The metal and stone carvings are all what the First Emperor did. Now I have inherited the title but the carved words on metal and stone do not call me the First Emperor; for the distant future it will be like later generations did it, not calling the successes and flourishing virtue.' The Chancellor, Minister Si, Minister Qu Ji, and the Grand Master of the Imperial Secretariat, Minister De, risking death said, 'Your ministers request to completely carve the edict on the stone, and thus it will be clear. Your ministers, risking death, request it.' The imperial decision said, 'Approved.'
51
遂至遼東而還。
He then reached Liaodong and returned.
52
於是二世乃遵用趙高，申法令。 乃陰與趙高謀曰：「大臣不服，官吏尚彊，及諸公子必與我爭，為之柰何？」 高曰：「臣固願言而未敢也。 先帝之大臣，皆天下累世名貴人也，積功勞世以相傳久矣。 今高素小賤，陛下幸稱舉，令在上位，管中事。 大臣鞅鞅，特以貌從臣，其心實不服。 今上出，不因此時案郡縣守尉有罪者誅之，上以振威天下，下以除去上生平所不可者。 今時不師文而決於武力，願陛下遂從時毋疑，即群臣不及謀。 明主收舉餘民，賤者貴之，貧者富之，遠者近之，則上下集而國安矣。」 二世曰：「善。」 乃行誅大臣及諸公子，以罪過連逮少近官三郎，無得立者，而六公子戮死於杜。 公子將閭昆弟三人囚於內宮，議其罪獨後。 二世使使令將閭曰：「公子不臣，罪當死，吏致法焉。」 將閭曰：「闕廷之禮，吾未嘗敢不從賓贊也； 廊廟之位，吾未嘗敢失節也； 受命應對，吾未嘗敢失辭也。 何謂不臣？ 願聞罪而死。」 使者曰：「臣不得與謀，奉書從事。」 將閭乃仰天大呼天者三，曰：「天乎！ 吾無罪！」 昆弟三人皆流涕拔劍自殺。 宗室振恐。 群臣諫者以為誹謗，大吏持祿取容，黔首振恐。
Thereupon the Second Emperor followed and used Zhao Gao, extending the laws and commands. He then secretly plotted with Zhao Gao, saying, 'The ministers do not submit, the officials are still strong, and the various princes will certainly contend with me—what should I do?' Gao said, 'Your minister certainly wished to speak but did not dare. The First Emperor's ministers are all the world's accumulated generations of famous and noble people, who have accumulated merits and labors through generations mutually transmitted for a long time. Now Gao was originally of small and lowly status; Your Majesty fortunately praised and raised me, commanding me in upper position to manage middle affairs. The ministers are dissatisfied, specially following the minister in appearance only—their hearts actually do not submit. Now that His Majesty goes out, do not take this opportunity to investigate the commanderies and counties' defenders and commandants who have crimes and execute them—above to shake might over the world, below to remove those whom His Majesty has disliked throughout his lifetime. Now is a time to not model culture but decide with military force; I wish Your Majesty would then follow the time without doubt, and the ministers would not be able to plot. Bright lords collect and raise the remaining people, making the lowly noble, the poor rich, the distant near—then upper and lower gather and the state is peaceful.' The Second Emperor said, 'Good.' He then carried out the execution of ministers and various princes, with crimes and faults connecting to arrest the few close officials of the three nobles, none able to stand, and six princes were punished to death at Du. Prince Jianglü and his three brothers were imprisoned in the inner palace; discussion of their crimes was put off until later. The Second Emperor sent an envoy to command Jianglü, saying, 'The prince does not minister; the crime should be death—the officials apply the law there.' Jianglü said, 'In the palace court's ceremonies, I never dared not follow the guest's assistance; in the hall and temple positions, I never dared lose integrity; In receiving commands and responding, I never dared lose the words. What is called not ministering? I wish to hear the crime and die.' The envoy said, 'Your minister cannot plot with you; I received the letter and carry out the affairs.' Jianglü then faced heaven and greatly called to heaven three times, saying, 'Heaven ah! I have no crime!' The three brothers all shed tears, drew their swords, and committed suicide. The clan residences shook with fear. The ministers who remonstrated were considered to have slandered; the great officials held their salaries and gained favor; the common people shook with fear.
53
四月，二世還至咸陽，曰：「先帝為咸陽朝廷小，故營阿房宮為室堂。 未就，會上崩，罷其作者，復土酈山。 酈山事大畢，今釋阿房宮弗就，則是章先帝舉事過也。」 復作阿房宮。 外撫四夷，如始皇計。 盡徵其材士五萬人為屯衛咸陽，令教射狗馬禽獸。 當食者多，度不足，下調郡縣轉輸菽粟芻稿，皆令自齎糧食，咸陽三百里內不得食其穀。 用法益刻深。
In the fourth month, the Second Emperor returned to Xianyang and said, 'The First Emperor, because the Xianyang court was small, therefore built the Epang Palace as chamber and hall. It was not completed when His Majesty died; its workers were dismissed, and the soil returned to Mount Li. The Mount Li matters are greatly finished; now to abandon the Epang Palace without completion would manifest the First Emperor's raising of affairs as faulty.' He again made the Epang Palace. Externally he pacified the four barbarians, as the First Emperor had planned. He completely conscripted their able men, fifty thousand people, as garrisoned guards for Xianyang, commanding them to teach archery for dogs, horses, birds, and beasts. Those who should eat were many; the measures were not sufficient. He issued transfers from the commanderies and counties to transport beans, millet, hay, and straw; all were commanded to carry their own provisions—within three hundred li of Xianyang they could not eat their grain. He used the laws increasingly harshly and deeply.
54
七月，戍卒陳勝等反故荊地，為「張楚」。 勝自立為楚王，居陳，遣諸將徇地。 山東郡縣少年苦秦吏，皆殺其守尉令丞反，以應陳涉，相立為侯王，合從西鄉，名為伐秦，不可勝數也。 謁者使東方來，以反者聞二世。 二世怒，下吏。 後使者至，上問，對曰：「群盜，郡守尉方逐捕，今盡得，不足憂。」 上悅。 武臣自立為趙王，魏咎為魏王，田儋為齊王。 沛公起沛。 項梁舉兵會稽郡。
In the seventh month, the garrisoned soldiers Chen Sheng and others rebelled in the old Jing lands, making 'Zhang Chu'. Sheng established himself as Chu king, resided in Chen, and dispatched various generals to tour the lands. The youths of the commanderies and counties east of the mountains suffered under Qin officials; all killed their defenders, commandants, chiefs, and magistrates and rebelled to respond to Chen She. They mutually established themselves as marquises and kings, allied together facing west, naming it attacking Qin—it could not be exhausted in counting. The courtier envoy came from the eastern direction and reported the rebels to the Second Emperor. The Second Emperor was angered and sent down officials. A later envoy arrived; His Majesty asked, and he replied, 'Bandits—the commandery defenders and commandants are just pursuing and capturing them; now they are completely obtained. Not sufficient to worry.' His Majesty was pleased. Wu Chen established himself as Zhao king, Wei Jiu as Wei king, Tian Dan as Qi king. Duke Pei rose in Pei. Xiang Liang raised troops in the Kuaiji commandery.
55
二年冬，陳涉所遣周章等將西至戲，兵數十萬。 二世大驚，與群臣謀曰：「柰何？」 少府章邯曰：「盜已至，眾彊，今發近縣不及矣。 酈山徒多，請赦之，授兵以擊之。」 二世乃大赦天下，使章邯將，擊破周章軍而走，遂殺章曹陽。 二世益遣長史司馬欣、董翳佐章邯擊盜，殺陳勝城父，破項梁定陶，滅魏咎臨濟。 楚地盜名將已死，章邯乃北渡河，擊趙王歇等於鉅鹿。
In the winter of the second year, the generals Zhou Zhang and others whom Chen She had dispatched went west to Xi, with troops numbering several tens of thousands. The Second Emperor was greatly startled and plotted with the ministers, saying, 'What should we do?' The Minor Treasurer Zhang Han said, 'The robbers have already arrived; their multitude is strong. Now dispatching the near counties will not be in time. The Mount Li convicts are many; please pardon them and give them weapons to strike the robbers.' The Second Emperor then greatly pardoned the world, made Zhang Han the general, struck and broke Zhou Zhang's army causing it to flee, and then killed Zhang at Cao Yang. The Second Emperor moreover dispatched the Chief Clerk Sima Xin and Dong Yi to assist Zhang Han in striking the robbers. They killed Chen Sheng at Chengfu, broke Xiang Liang at Dingtao, and extinguished Wei Jiu at Linji. The Chu lands' robbers' famous generals had already died; Zhang Han then crossed the river north and struck King Xie of Zhao and others at Julu.
56
趙高說二世曰：「先帝臨制天下久，故群臣不敢為非，進邪說。 今陛下富於春秋，初即位，柰何與公卿廷決事？ 事即有誤，示群臣短也。 天子稱朕，固不聞聲。」 於是二世常居禁中，與高決諸事。 其後公卿希得朝見，盜賊益多，而關中卒發東擊盜者毋已。 右丞相去疾、左丞相斯、將軍馮劫進諫曰：「關東群盜并起，秦發兵誅擊，所殺亡甚眾，然猶不止。 盜多，皆以戌漕轉作事苦，賦稅大也。 請且止阿房宮作者，減省四邊戍轉。」 二世曰：「吾聞之韓子曰：『堯舜采椽不刮，茅茨不翦，飯土塯，啜土形，雖監門之養，不觳於此。 禹鑿龍門，通大夏，決河亭水，放之海，身自持筑臿，脛毋毛，臣虜之勞不烈於此矣。』 凡所為貴有天下者，得肆意極欲，主重明法，下不敢為非，以制御海內矣。 夫虞、夏之主，貴為天子，親處窮苦之實，以徇百姓，尚何於法？ 朕尊萬乘，毋其實，吾欲造千乘之駕，萬乘之屬，充吾號名。 且先帝起諸侯，兼天下，天下已定，外攘四夷以安邊竟，作宮室以章得意，而君觀先帝功業有緒。 今朕即位二年之閒，群盜并起，君不能禁，又欲罷先帝之所為，是上毋以報先帝，次不為朕盡忠力，何以在位？」 下去疾、斯、劫吏，案責他罪。 去疾、劫曰：「將相不辱。」 自殺。 斯卒囚，就五刑。
Zhao Gao persuaded the Second Emperor, saying, 'The First Emperor controlled and ruled the world for a long time; therefore the ministers did not dare do wrong or advance evil sayings. Now Your Majesty is rich in years, having just ascended the position—what need is there to decide affairs with the nobles in court? If affairs then have errors, it shows the ministers your shortcomings. The emperor calls himself 'I'; certainly he does not hear the voice.' Thereupon the Second Emperor constantly resided in the forbidden quarters and decided all affairs with Gao. After this, the nobles rarely obtained morning audiences; robbers and bandits grew increasingly many, and the soldiers dispatched from Guanzhong to strike the robbers in the east were without end. The Right Chancellor Qu Ji, Left Chancellor Si, and General Feng Jie advanced and remonstrated, saying, 'The bandits east of the pass have all risen together. Qin has dispatched troops to execute and strike them; those killed and perished are very many, yet they still do not stop. The robbers are many; all are because the garrison, transport, and labor matters are bitter, and the taxes are heavy. Please temporarily stop the Epang Palace workers and reduce the garrisons and transports on the four borders.' The Second Emperor said, 'I heard Master Han say: "Yao and Shun used thatched rafters not scraped, thatched roofs not trimmed, ate from earthenware bowls, drank from earthenware cups. Though the gatekeeper's nourishment was not different from this." Yu dug Longmen, connected Daxia, decided the Hetting waters and released them to the sea. His body personally held the hoe and spade; his shins had no hair. The labor of ministers and captives was not as intense as this."' All that is done by those who nobly have the world is to obtain unrestrained intentions and extreme desires, to be a lord who heavily enforces clear laws, so that below they dare not do wrong, to thereby control and rule within the seas. The lords of Yu and Xia, noble as emperors, personally dwelt in the reality of poverty and bitterness to comply with the common people—what more is there regarding laws? I am honored with ten thousand chariots but lack its substance. I wish to make the equipage of a thousand chariots and the retinue of ten thousand chariots to fill my title and name. Moreover, the First Emperor rose from the feudal lords and united the world. The world was already settled; externally he expelled the four barbarians to pacify the border limits, made palace chambers to manifest his self-satisfaction, and you observe that the First Emperor's achievements had continuity. Now I have ascended the position within two years' interval; bandits have all risen together. You cannot prohibit them, and moreover wish to dismiss what the First Emperor did. This is above not being able to repay the First Emperor, and next not exhausting loyal strength for me—why are you in position?' He sent down Qu Ji, Si, and Jie to the officials, investigated and blamed them for other crimes. Qu Ji and Jie said, 'Generals and chancellors are not humiliated.' They committed suicide. Si was finally imprisoned and received the five punishments.
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三年，章邯等將其卒圍鉅鹿，楚上將軍項羽將楚卒往救鉅鹿。 冬，趙高為丞相，竟案李斯殺之。 夏，章邯等戰數卻，二世使人讓邯，邯恐，使長史欣請事。 趙高弗見，又弗信。 欣恐，亡去，高使人捕追不及。 欣見邯曰：「趙高用事於中，將軍有功亦誅，無功亦誅。」 項羽急擊秦軍，虜王離，邯等遂以兵降諸侯。 八月己亥，趙高欲為亂，恐群臣不聽，乃先設驗，持鹿獻於二世，曰：「馬也。」 二世笑曰：「丞相誤邪？ 謂鹿為馬。」 問左右，左右或默，或言馬以阿順趙高。 或言鹿（者），高因陰中諸言鹿者以法。 後群臣皆畏高。
In the third year, Zhang Han and others led their soldiers to surround Julu. The Chu Supreme General Xiang Yu led Chu soldiers to go rescue Julu. In winter, Zhao Gao became chancellor and finally investigated and killed Li Si. In summer, Zhang Han and others battled with several retreats. The Second Emperor sent someone to reproach Han; Han feared and had the chief clerk Xin request affairs. Zhao Gao did not see him, and moreover did not believe him. Xin feared and fled. Gao sent people to seize and pursue him but did not reach him. Xin saw Han and said, 'Zhao Gao controls affairs within; the general will be executed whether he has merit or not.' Xiang Yu urgently struck the Qin army, captured Wang Li, and Han and others then surrendered their troops to the feudal lords. On the eighth month Jihai day, Zhao Gao wished to make chaos. Fearing the ministers would not listen, he first set a test, held a deer and offered it to the Second Emperor, saying, 'This is a horse.' The Second Emperor laughed and said, 'Is the Chancellor mistaken? He calls a deer a horse.' He asked the attendants; the attendants were either silent or said it was a horse to flatter and follow Zhao Gao. Those who said it was a deer, Gao then secretly struck with the law. Afterward, all the ministers feared Gao.
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高前數言「關東盜毋能為也」，及項羽虜秦將王離等鉅鹿下而前，章邯等軍數卻，上書請益助，燕、趙、齊、楚、韓、魏皆立為王，自關以東，大氐盡畔秦吏應諸侯，諸侯咸率其眾西鄉。 沛公將數萬人已屠武關，使人私於高，高恐二世怒，誅及其身，乃謝病不朝見。 二世夢白虎齧其左驂馬，殺之，心不樂，怪問占夢。 卜曰：「涇水為祟。」 二世乃齋於望夷宮，欲祠涇，沈四白馬。 使使責讓高以盜賊事。 高懼，乃陰與其婿咸陽令閻樂、其弟趙成謀曰：「上不聽諫，今事急，欲歸禍於吾宗。 吾欲易置上，更立公子嬰。 子嬰仁儉，百姓皆載其言。」 使郎中令為內應，詐為有大賊，令樂召吏發卒，追劫樂母置高舍。 遣樂將吏卒千餘人至望夷宮殿門，縛衛令仆射，曰：「賊入此，何不止？」 衛令曰：「周廬設卒甚謹，安得賊敢入宮？」 樂遂斬衛令，直將吏入，行射，郎宦者大驚，或走或格，格者輒死，死者數十人。 郎中令與樂俱入，射上幄坐幃。 二世怒，召左右，左右皆惶擾不鬬。 旁有宦者一人，侍不敢去。 二世入內，謂曰：「公何不蚤告我？ 乃至於此！」 宦者曰：「臣不敢言，故得全。 使臣蚤言，皆已誅，安得至今？」 閻樂前即二世數曰：「足下驕恣，誅殺無道，天下共畔足下，足下其自為計。」 二世曰：「丞相可得見否？」 樂曰：「不可。」 二世曰：「吾願得一郡為王。」 弗許。 又曰：「願為萬戶侯。」 弗許。 曰：「願與妻子為黔首，比諸公子。」 閻樂曰：「臣受命於丞相，為天下誅足下，足下雖多言，臣不敢報。」 麾其兵進。 二世自殺。
Gao had previously said several times, 'The robbers east of the pass cannot do anything,' but Xiang Yu captured Qin generals Wang Li and others below Julu and advanced. Zhang Han and others' army retreated several times, memorialized requesting additional aid. Yan, Zhao, Qi, Chu, Han, and Wei all established themselves as kings. From the pass eastward, for the most part all rebelled against Qin officials and responded to the feudal lords. The feudal lords all led their multitudes and faced west. Duke Pei, leading several tens of thousands of people, had already slaughtered Wuguan. He sent someone privately to Gao. Gao feared the Second Emperor would be angered and the execution would reach his person, so he declined illness and did not attend morning audiences. The Second Emperor dreamed that a white tiger bit his left trace horse. He killed it; his heart was not happy. He strangely asked for the dream to be interpreted. The diviner said, 'The Jing River is causing evil.' The Second Emperor then purified himself at the Wangyi Palace, wished to sacrifice to the Jing, and sank four white horses. He sent an envoy to reproach Gao with the robber and bandit matters. Gao feared, and then secretly plotted with his son-in-law Yan Le, the Xianyang magistrate, and his younger brother Zhao Cheng, saying, 'His Majesty does not listen to remonstrations. Now affairs are urgent; he wishes to return calamity to my clan. I wish to change and place His Majesty, and moreover establish Prince Ying. Zi Ying is benevolent and frugal; the common people all carry his words.' He made the palace attendant commander as inner response, deceived into making it seem there were great robbers, commanded Le to summon officials and dispatch soldiers, and pursued and robbed Le's mother, placing her in Gao's residence. He dispatched Le to lead over a thousand officials and soldiers to the Wangyi Palace hall gate, bound the guard commander's deputy, and said, 'Robbers entered here—why were they not stopped?' The guard commander said, 'The surrounding huts have soldiers set very carefully—how could robbers dare enter the palace?' Le then beheaded the guard commander, straightaway led the officials and entered, advanced shooting. The gentlemen and eunuchs were greatly startled; some fled, some resisted—the resisters then died. Those who died were several tens of people. The palace attendant commander entered together with Le and shot at His Majesty's canopy, seat, and curtains. The Second Emperor was angered and summoned his attendants; the attendants were all panicked and disturbed and did not fight. Beside him there was one eunuch who served and did not dare leave. The Second Emperor entered within and said to him, 'Why did you not early tell me? It has reached to this!' The eunuch said, 'Your minister did not dare speak, therefore obtained wholeness. If made your minister speak early, all would already be executed—how obtained until now?' Yan Le advanced and approached the Second Emperor, reproached and said, 'You are arrogant and unrestrained, execute and kill without way. The world together rebels against you; you should make your own plan.' The Second Emperor said, 'Can the Chancellor be seen?' Le said, 'Not possible.' The Second Emperor said, 'I wish to obtain one commandery to be king.' It was not permitted. He again said, 'I wish to be a marquis of ten thousand households.' It was not permitted. He said, 'I wish with my wife and children to be common people, comparable to the various princes.' Yan Le said, 'Your minister received command from the chancellor to execute you for the world. Though you have many words, your minister does not dare report.' He waved his troops to advance. The Second Emperor committed suicide.
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閻樂歸報趙高，趙高乃悉召諸大臣公子，告以誅二世之狀。 曰：「秦故王國，始皇君天下，故稱帝。 今六國復自立，秦地益小，乃以空名為帝，不可。 宜為王如故，便。」 立二世之兄子公子嬰為秦王。 以黔首葬二世杜南宜春苑中。 令子嬰齋，當廟見，受王璽。 齋五日，子嬰與其子二人謀曰：「丞相高殺二世望夷宮，恐群臣誅之，乃詳以義立我。 我聞趙高乃與楚約，滅秦宗室而王關中。 今使我齋見廟，此欲因廟中殺我。 我稱病不行，丞相必自來，來則殺之。」 高使人請子嬰數輩，子嬰不行，高果自往，曰：「宗廟重事，王柰何不行？」 子嬰遂刺殺高於齋宮，三族高家以徇咸陽。 子嬰為秦王四十六日，楚將沛公破秦軍入武關，遂至霸上，使人約降子嬰。 子嬰即系頸以組，白馬素車，奉天子璽符，降軹道旁。 沛公遂入咸陽，封宮室府庫，還軍霸上。 居月餘，諸侯兵至，項籍為從長，殺子嬰及秦諸公子宗族。 遂屠咸陽，燒其宮室，虜其子女，收其珍寶貨財，諸侯共分之。 滅秦之後，各分其地為三，名曰雍王、塞王、翟王，號曰三秦。 項羽為西楚霸王，主命分天下王諸侯，秦竟滅矣。 後五年，天下定於漢。
Yan Le returned and reported to Zhao Gao. Zhao Gao then completely summoned the various ministers and princes, and told them of the circumstances of executing the Second Emperor. He said, 'Qin was formerly a kingdom; the First Emperor ruled the world, therefore called emperor. Now the six states have again established themselves; Qin lands are increasingly small. To be emperor with an empty name is not possible. It is proper to be king as before; convenient.' They established the Second Emperor's elder brother's son, Prince Ying, as Qin king. They used common people to bury the Second Emperor in the Yichun Park south of Du. They commanded Zi Ying to purify himself, should see in the temple, and receive the king's seal. He purified for five days. Zi Ying plotted with his two sons, saying, 'Chancellor Gao killed the Second Emperor in the Wangyi Palace. Fearing the ministers would execute him, he then pretended with righteousness to establish me. I heard that Zhao Gao then agreed with Chu to extinguish the Qin clan residence and be king in Guanzhong. Now he makes me purify and see the temple—this wishes to take advantage of the temple to kill me. I will claim illness and not go; the chancellor will certainly come himself, and when he comes, we will kill him.' Gao had people invite Zi Ying several times, Zi Ying did not go, Gao indeed went himself, saying: 'Clan temple heavy matters, king why not go?' Zi Ying then stabbed and killed Gao at the purification palace, three-clanned Gao's family to display in Xianyang. Zi Ying was Qin king for forty-six days, Chu general Pei Gong broke the Qin army and entered Wu Guan, then reached Ba Shang, and sent someone to arrange Zi Ying's surrender. Zi Ying immediately tied his neck with a cord, white horse plain carriage, offered the emperor's seal and talisman, surrendered by the side of Zhi road. Pei Gong then entered Xianyang, sealed the palace chambers, treasuries, and storehouses, and returned his army to Ba Shang. After residing more than a month, the feudal lords' troops arrived, Xiang Ji was the alliance leader, and killed Zi Ying and the Qin various princes and clan residence. Then slaughtered Xianyang, burned its palace chambers, captured its sons and daughters, collected its precious treasures, goods, and wealth, which the feudal lords together divided. After extinguishing Qin, each divided its land into three, named Yong king, Sai king, Di king, titled the Three Qin. Xiang Yu became the West Chu Overlord King, chiefly commanded the division of the world to enfeoff kings among the feudal lords, and Qin was finally extinguished. Five years later, the world was settled under Han.
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太史公曰：秦之先伯翳，嘗有勳於唐虞之際，受土賜姓。 及殷夏之閒微散。 至周之衰，秦興，邑于西垂。 自繆公以來，稍蠶食諸侯，竟成始皇。 始皇自以為功過五帝，地廣三王，而羞與之侔。 善哉乎賈生推言之也！ 曰：
The Grand Historian says: Qin's ancestor Bo Yi once had merit during the time between Tang and Yu, received land and was granted a surname. And between Yin and Xia they slightly scattered. When Zhou declined, Qin rose and established a city at the western border. From Duke Mu onward, they gradually nibbled away at the feudal lords, finally becoming the First Emperor. The First Emperor himself thought his merit surpassed the Five Emperors, his land broader than the Three Kings, but was ashamed to match them. How well Jia Sheng expounded and spoke of it! Said:
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秦并兼諸侯山東三十餘郡，繕津關，據險塞，修甲兵而守之。 然陳涉以戍卒散亂之眾數百，奮臂大呼，不用弓戟之兵，鉏櫌白梃，望屋而食，橫行天下。 秦人阻險不守，關梁不闔，長戟不刺，彊弩不射。 楚師深入，戰於鴻門，曾無藩籬之艱。 於是山東大擾，諸侯并起，豪俊相立。 秦使章邯將而東征，章邯因以三軍之眾要市於外，以謀其上。 群臣之不信，可見於此矣。 子嬰立，遂不寤。 藉使子嬰有庸主之材，僅得中佐，山東雖亂，秦之地可全而有，宗廟之祀未當絕也。
Qin united and annexed the feudal lords east of the mountains in thirty more commanderies, repaired the ford passes, occupied the dangerous barriers, repaired the armored soldiers and guarded them. However Chen She with several hundred scattered and disordered garrison soldiers, raised his arms and called out greatly, not using bow or halberd soldiers, hoes, rakes, white clubs, gazed at houses and ate, horizontally traveled the world. The Qin people did not guard the blocked dangers, did not close the passes and bridges, did not stab with long halberds, did not shoot with strong crossbows. The Chu armies deeply entered, battled at Hong Men, once had no fence or hedge difficulties. Thereupon east of the mountains was greatly disturbed, the feudal lords together rose, heroes and outstanding men mutually established themselves. Qin made Zhang Han general for the eastern campaign, Zhang Han then with the multitudes of the three armies demanded ransom outside, to plot against his superiors. That the ministers were not trustworthy can be seen from this. Zi Ying was established, then did not awaken. Suppose Zi Ying had the materials of an ordinary lord, merely obtained middle assistants, east of the mountains though chaotic, Qin land could be wholly preserved, clan temple sacrifices should not have been extinguished.
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秦地被山帶河以為固，四塞之國也。 自繆公以來，至於秦王，二十餘君，常為諸侯雄。 豈世世賢哉？ 其勢居然也。 且天下嘗同心并力而攻秦矣。 當此之世，賢智并列，良將行其師，賢相通其謀，然困於阻險而不能進，秦乃延入戰而為之開關，百萬之徒逃北而遂壞。 豈勇力智慧不足哉？ 形不利，勢不便也。 秦小邑并大城，守險塞而軍，高壘毋戰，閉關據阨，荷戟而守之。 諸侯起於匹夫，以利合，非有素王之行也。 其交未親，其下未附，名為亡秦，其實利之也。 彼見秦阻之難犯也，必退師。 安土息民，以待其敝，收弱扶罷，以令大國之君，不患不得意於海內。 貴為天子，富有天下，而身為禽者，其救敗非也。
Qin land was covered by mountains and girded by rivers as solid, a country of four barriers. From Duke Mu onward, reaching the Qin king, twenty more lords constantly were the hero of the feudal lords. How could generation after generation be worthy? Their situation was obviously so. Moreover the world once united hearts and united strength to attack Qin. At this time, the worthy and wise were arrayed in parallel, good generals marched their armies, worthy chancellors communicated their plans, however they were trapped by blocked dangers and could not advance, Qin then lured them into battle and opened the passes for them, million multitudes fled north and were then destroyed. How could courage, strength, and wisdom be insufficient? The form was unfavorable, the situation inconvenient. Qin united small cities into large cities, guarded the dangerous barriers and stationed armies, high ramparts did not battle, closed passes occupied defiles, carried halberds and guarded them. The feudal lords rose from common men, united by profit, did not have the conduct of prepared kings. Their relations were not close, their subordinates not attached, named perished Qin, actually profited from it. They saw that Qin's barriers were difficult to violate, certainly retreated their armies. Pacified the land and rested the people, to await their exhaustion, gathered the weak and supported the tired, to command the lords of great countries, not worried about not obtaining intention within the seas. Though noble as emperor and rich with the world, their bodies became prey—their rescue of defeat was wrong.
63
秦王足己不問，遂過而不變。 二世受之，因而不改，暴虐以重禍。 子嬰孤立無親，危弱無輔。 三主惑而終身不悟，亡，不亦宜乎？ 當此時也，世非無深慮知化之士也，然所以不敢盡忠拂過者，秦俗多忌諱之禁，忠言未卒於口而身為戮沒矣。 故使天下之士，傾耳而聽，重足而立，拑口而不言。 是以三主失道，忠臣不敢諫，智士不敢謀，天下已亂，姦不上聞，豈不哀哉！ 先王知雍蔽之傷國也，故置公卿大夫士，以飾法設刑，而天下治。 其彊也，禁暴誅亂而天下服。 其弱也，五伯征而諸侯從。 其削也，內守外附而社稷存。 故秦之盛也，繁法嚴刑而天下振； 及其衰也，百姓怨望而海內畔矣。 故周五序得其道，而千餘歲不絕。 秦本末并失，故不長久。 由此觀之，安危之統相去遠矣。 野諺曰「前事之不忘，後事之師也」。 是以君子為國，觀之上古，驗之當世，參以人事，察盛衰之理，審權勢之宜，去就有序，變化有時，故曠日長久而社稷安矣。
The Qin king was satisfied with himself and did not ask, then erred and did not change. The Second Emperor received it, followed without changing, violent and cruel to increase calamities. Zi Ying was isolated without relatives, dangerous and weak without assistants. The three lords were confused and lifelong did not awaken, perished—was this not proper? At this time, the world was not without scholars of deep thought who knew change, however those who dared not exhaust loyalty and oppose faults, Qin customs had many taboo prohibitions—loyal words were not finished in the mouth when the body became executed and drowned. Therefore it made the world's scholars incline their ears and listen, stand with heavy feet, shut their mouths and not speak. Therefore the three rulers lost the way; loyal ministers dared not remonstrate, wise men dared not plan. The world was already in chaos, evil was not reported upward—how could this not be sorrowful! Former kings knew that blocking and obstructing harmed the country, therefore they established nobles, grand masters, and scholars to adorn the laws and set punishments, and the world was governed. When they were strong, they prohibited violence, executed chaos, and the world submitted. When they were weak, the Five Hegemons campaigned and the feudal lords followed. When they were reduced, they guarded internally and attached externally, and the altars of soil and grain were preserved. Therefore when Qin prospered, numerous laws and strict punishments shook the world; When it declined, the common people resented and hoped, and within the seas they rebelled. Therefore Zhou, through the Five Orders, obtained the way, and more than a thousand years did not end. Qin lost both root and branch, therefore did not last long. From this it can be seen that the principles of safety and danger are far apart. Therefore the people could not bear it and rose up together. Therefore gentlemen governing the country observe the highest antiquity, verify in the present age, consult with human affairs, observe the principles of flourishing and decline, carefully consider the appropriateness of power and influence, depart and remain in order, change at the proper time, therefore days are broad and long and the altars of soil and grain are secure.
64
秦孝公據殽函之固，擁雍州之地，君臣固守而窺周室，有席卷天下，包舉宇內，囊括四海之意，并吞八荒之心。 當是時，商君佐之，內立法度，務耕織，修守戰之備，外連衡而鬬諸侯，於是秦人拱手而取西河之外。
Qin Duke Xiao occupied the Xiao and Han defiles as solid fortifications, embracing Yong province lands, with ruler and ministers firmly guarding and spying on Zhou quarters, having the intent to roll up the world, wrap the universe within, encompass the four seas, and unite and swallow the eight wastes. At this time, Shang Jun assisted him, internally establishing laws and measures, diligently farming and weaving, repairing defenses for guarding and warfare, externally connecting horizontally and fighting the feudal lords. Thereupon the Qin people took beyond the West River with folded hands.
65
孝公既沒，惠王、武王蒙故業，因遺冊，南兼漢中，西舉巴、蜀，東割膏腴之地，收要害之郡。 諸侯恐懼，會盟而謀弱秦，不愛珍器重寶肥美之地，以致天下之士，合從締交，相與為一。 當是時，齊有孟嘗，趙有平原，楚有春申，魏有信陵。 此四君者，皆明知而忠信，寬厚而愛人，尊賢重士，約從離衡，并韓、魏、燕、楚、齊、趙、宋、衛、中山之眾。 於是六國之士有寧越、徐尚、蘇秦、杜赫之屬為之謀，齊明、周最、陳軫、昭滑、樓緩、翟景、蘇厲、樂毅之徒通其意，吳起、孫臏、帶佗、兒良、王廖、田忌、廉頗、趙奢之朋制其兵。 常以十倍之地，百萬之眾，叩關而攻秦。 秦人開關延敵，九國之師逡巡遁逃而不敢進。 秦無亡矢遺鏃之費，而天下諸侯已困矣。 於是從散約解，爭割地而奉秦。 秦有餘力而制其敝，追亡逐北，伏尸百萬，流血漂鹵。 因利乘便，宰割天下，分裂河山，彊國請服，弱國入朝。 延及孝文王、莊襄王，享國日淺，國家無事。
Duke Xiao having died, King Hui and King Wu inherited the old enterprise, following the bequeathed strategies, south uniting Hanzhong, west taking Ba and Shu, east cutting rich and fertile lands, collecting key strategic commanderies. The feudal lords feared, assembled and allied to plan weakening Qin, not sparing precious vessels, heavy treasures, or fertile lands, to attract the world's scholars, allied together, established relations, mutually became one. At this time, Qi had Meng Chang, Zhao had Ping Yuan, Chu had Chun Shen, Wei had Xin Ling. These four lords were all bright in knowledge and faithful in trust, broad and thick loving people, honoring worthy and valuing scholars, allied together separating balances, united Han, Wei, Yan, Chu, Qi, Zhao, Song, Wei, Zhongshan multitudes. Thereupon the six states' scholars had Ning Yue, Xu Shang, Su Qin, Du He and others planning for them, Qi Ming, Zhou Zui, Chen Zhen, Zhao Hua, Lou Huan, Di Jing, Su Li, Yue Yi and others communicating their intentions, Wu Qi, Sun Bin, Dai Tuo, Er Liang, Wang Liao, Tian Ji, Lian Po, Zhao She companions controlling their armies. Constantly with ten times the land, million multitudes, knocking on the passes attacking Qin. The Qin people opened passes lured enemies, nine countries armies hesitant fled escaped dared not advance. Qin had no lost arrow abandoned arrowhead expenditures, but world feudal lords already exhausted. Thereupon alliances scattered agreements dissolved, contended to cut lands presented to Qin. Qin had surplus strength controlled their exhaustion, pursued fleeing drove defeated, prostrate corpses hundred thousand, flowing blood floated shields. Taking advantage of benefits, riding convenience, butchering the world, splitting rivers and mountains, strong countries requested submission, weak countries entered court. Extended to King Xiao Wen, King Zhuang Xiang, enjoyed country days shallow, state had no affairs.
66
及至秦王，續六世之餘烈，振長策而御宇內，吞二周而亡諸侯，履至尊而制六合，執棰拊以鞭笞天下，威振四海。 南取百越之地，以為桂林、象郡，百越之君俛首系頸，委命下吏。 乃使蒙恬北筑長城而守藩籬，卻匈奴七百餘里，胡人不敢南下而牧馬，士不敢彎弓而報怨。 於是廢先王之道，焚百家之言，以愚黔首。 墮名城，殺豪俊，收天下之兵聚之咸陽，銷鋒鑄鐻，以為金人十二，以弱黔首之民。 然後斬華為城，因河為津，據億丈之城，臨不測之谿以為固。 良將勁弩守要害之處，信臣精卒陳利兵而誰何，天下以定。 秦王之心，自以為關中之固，金城千里，子孫帝王萬世之業也。
Reached Qin king, continued six generations remaining achievements, shook long plans controlled universe within, swallowed two Zhou perished feudal lords, trod supreme controlled six directions, held cane stroked lashed world, might shook four seas. South took Baiyue lands, made Guilin, Xiang commandery, Baiyue lords bowed heads bound necks, entrusted fate lower officials. Then made Meng Tian north build long wall guarded border fence, drove Xiongnu seven hundred more li, Hu people dared not south descend pasture horses, archers dared not bend bows repay grievances. Thereupon abolished former kings way, burned hundred schools words, to foolish commoners. Destroyed famous cities, killed heroes outstanding, collected world weapons gathered Xianyang, melted points cast bells, made twelve gold men, to weaken commoners people. Then cut Hua for city, followed river for ford, occupied hundred million zhang city, faced unfathomable gorge for solid. Good generals strong crossbows guarded key danger places, faithful ministers elite soldiers displayed sharp weapons who what, world thereby settled. Qin king heart, self thought Guanzhong solid, golden city thousand li, descendants emperor kings ten thousand generations enterprise.
67
秦王既沒，餘威振於殊俗。 陳涉，罋牖繩樞之子，甿隸之人，而遷徙之徒，才能不及中人，非有仲尼、墨翟之賢，陶朱、猗頓之富，躡足行伍之閒，而倔起什伯之中，率罷散之卒，將數百之眾，而轉攻秦。 斬木為兵，揭竿為旗，天下雲集響應，贏糧而景從，山東豪俊遂并起而亡秦族矣。
Qin king having died, remaining might shook different customs. Chen She, earthen window rope pivot son, commoner slave person, banished migrant, abilities not reach average person, not having Confucius, Mo Di worthy, Tao Zhu, Yi Dun rich, stepped feet in ranks midst, rose stubbornly in ten hundred midst, led tired scattered soldiers, general several hundred multitude, then turned attacked Qin. Cut wood for weapons, raised poles for flags, world cloud gathered echoed, carried grain shadowed followed, east mountains heroes outstanding then together rose perished Qin clan.
68
且夫天下非小弱也，雍州之地，殽函之固自若也。 陳涉之位，非尊於齊、楚、燕、趙、韓、魏、宋、衛、中山之君； 鉏櫌棘矜，非錟於句戟長鎩也； 適戍之眾，非抗於九國之師； 深謀遠慮，行軍用兵之道，非及鄉時之士也。 然而成敗異變，功業相反也。 試使山東之國與陳涉度長絜大，比權量力，則不可同年而語矣。 然秦以區區之地，千乘之權，招八州而朝同列，百有餘年矣。 然後以六合為家，殽函為宮，一夫作難而七廟墮，身死人手，為天下笑者，何也？ 仁義不施而攻守之勢異也。
Moreover world not small weak, Yong province lands, Xiao Han solid as before. He attacked Hann, capturing Yangcheng and Yinjing. He attacked Wei, capturing Yuan and Xingqiu. He attacked Zhao, capturing Zhao cities. Deep plans far considerations, marching using soldiers way, not reached previous time scholars. However success failure different changes, achievements opposite. Try make east mountains countries with Chen She measure long examine great, compare power weigh strength, then could not same year speak. However Qin with small territory, thousand chariots power, recruited eight provinces made same rank court, hundred more years. He established the title of emperor. Benevolence righteousness not applied but attack defend situations different.
69
秦并海內，兼諸侯，南面稱帝，以養四海，天下之士斐然鄉風，若是者何也？ 曰：近古之無王者久矣。 周室卑微，五霸既歿，令不行於天下，是以諸侯力政，彊侵弱，眾暴寡，兵革不休，士民罷敝。 今秦南面而王天下，是上有天子也。 既元元之民冀得安其性命，莫不虛心而仰上，當此之時，守威定功，安危之本在於此矣。
He unified writings and measures. He burned books and buried scholars. Zhou house lowly weak, five hegemons already dead, commands not run world, therefore feudal lords force governed, strong invaded weak, many oppressed few, weapons armor not rested, scholars commoners exhausted. Now Qin faced south king world, this had emperor above. Since the myriad common people hoped to secure their lives, none not empty heart looked up above. At this time, guarding might determining achievement, safety danger root was at this.
70
秦王懷貪鄙之心，行自奮之智，不信功臣，不親士民，廢王道，立私權，禁文書而酷刑法，先詐力而後仁義，以暴虐為天下始。 夫并兼者高詐力，安定者貴順權，此言取與守不同術也。 秦離戰國而王天下，其道不易，其政不改，是其所以取之守之者［無］異也。 孤獨而有之，故其亡可立而待。 借使秦王計上世之事，并殷周之跡，以制御其政，後雖有淫驕之主而未有傾危之患也。 故三王之建天下，名號顯美，功業長久。
The Qin king harbored greedy and base thoughts, acted with self-efforting wisdom, did not trust meritorious officials, was not close to scholars and commoners, abolished the kingly way, established private power, prohibited writings and cruelly used criminal law, valued deceitful force before benevolence and righteousness, making violence and cruelty the beginning for the world. Now those who unite and annex value deceitful force; those who stabilize value following authority—this speaks of taking and guarding using different methods. Qin departed the Warring States and became king of the world; its way did not change, its governance did not alter—this was why taking and guarding it were no different. Isolated and alone possessing it, therefore its perishing could stand and wait. Suppose the Qin king considered the affairs of previous generations, united the traces of Yin and Zhou, to control and rule his governance, later though there were licentious arrogant lords, there would not yet be overturning danger calamities. Therefore the Three Kings' establishment of the world, their names and titles were manifestly beautiful, their achievements long-lasting.
71
今秦二世立，天下莫不引領而觀其政。 夫寒者利裋褐而饑者甘糟糠，天下之嗷嗷，新主之資也。 此言勞民之易為仁也。 鄉使二世有庸主之行，而任忠賢，臣主一心而憂海內之患，縞素而正先帝之過，裂地分民以封功臣之後，建國立君以禮天下，虛囹圉而免刑戮，除去收帑汙穢之罪，使各反其鄉里，發倉廩，散財幣，以振孤獨窮困之士，輕賦少事，以佐百姓之急，約法省刑以持其後，使天下之人皆得自新，更節修行，各慎其身，塞萬民之望，而以威德與天下，天下集矣。 即四海之內，皆讙各自安樂其處，唯恐有變，雖有狡猾之民，無離上之心，則不軌之臣無以飾其智，而暴亂之姦止矣。 二世不行此術，而重之以無道，壞宗廟與民，更始作阿房宮，繁刑嚴誅，吏治刻深，賞罰不當，賦斂無度，天下多事，吏弗能紀，百姓困窮而主弗收恤。 然後姦偽并起，而上下相遁，蒙罪者眾，刑戮相望於道，而天下苦之。 自君卿以下至于眾庶，人懷自危之心，親處窮苦之實，咸不安其位，故易動也。 是以陳涉不用湯武之賢，不藉公侯之尊，奮臂於大澤而天下響應者，其民危也。 故先王見始終之變，知存亡之機，是以牧民之道，務在安之而已。 天下雖有逆行之臣，必無響應之助矣。 故曰「安民可與行義，而危民易與為非」，此之謂也。 貴為天子，富有天下，身不免於戮殺者，正傾非也。 是二世之過也。
Now Qin Second Generation is established, the world none do not crane necks and observe his governance. Now the cold ones take pleasure in coarse garments and the hungry ones find sweet the bran and husks—the world's crying out is the new lord's resource. This speaks of how easy it is for a wearied people to practice benevolence. Suppose the Second Emperor had the conduct of an ordinary lord, and employed the loyal and worthy, ruler and ministers united hearts concerned with within the seas' troubles, plain clothed corrected the First Emperor's faults, divided land apportioned people to enfeoff meritorious officials' descendants, established countries set up lords to ritually treat the world, emptied prisons exempted punishments executions, removed the crimes of collecting arrears filth corruption, made each return to their villages and hamlets, opened granaries scattered wealth currency, to aid orphans widows poor destitute scholars, light taxes few affairs to assist the common people's urgency, contracted laws reduced punishments to hold their future, made the world's people all able to renew themselves, change conduct cultivate practice, each be careful of their persons, filled the myriad people's hopes, and with might virtue gave to the world—the world would gather. Then within the four seas, all would acclaim, each enjoying peace in their place, fearing only change—though there were crafty people, without hearts departing from superiors, then rebellious ministers would have no way to adorn their wisdom, and violent disorder's treachery would stop. The Second Emperor did not practice this method, but added to it the wayless, destroyed ancestral temples and the people, began anew building the Afang Palace, multiplied punishments severe executions, official governance harsh and deep, rewards punishments not proper, taxes collections without measure, the world many affairs, officials could not manage them, commoners poor and destitute while the lord did not collect and relieve them. Then treachery and falsity arose together, superiors and inferiors mutually deceived, falsely accused ones many, punishments executions mutually visible on the roads, and the world suffered from it. From noble lords down to the multitudes, people harbored self-endangered hearts, personally dwelt in poverty hardship's reality, all were not at peace in their positions, therefore easy to move. Therefore Chen She not using Tang Wu's worthiness, not borrowing dukes marquises' nobility, raised arms in the great marsh and the world responded—this was because his people were endangered. Therefore previous kings saw beginning end's changes, knew survival perishing's mechanisms, therefore herding people's way, strove in stabilizing them only. The world though had perverse ministers, certainly would have no responding assistance. Qin annexed within the seas, united the feudal lords, faced south and called emperor to nourish the four seas. The scholars of the world abundantly turned toward the wind—like this, what was it? Noble as Son of Heaven, rich with the world, body not escaping slaughter—this was because the governance was toppling, not right. This was the Second Emperor's fault.
72
襄公立，享國十二年。 初為西畤。 葬西垂。 生文公。
Duke Xiang established, enjoyed the state twelve years. Initially established the western altar. Buried at the western border. Bore Duke Wen.
73
文公立，居西垂宮。 五十年死，葬西垂。 生靜公。
Duke Wen established, resided in the western border palace. After fifty years died, buried at the western border. Bore Duke Jing.
74
靜公不享國而死。 生憲公。
Duke Jing did not enjoy the state and died. Bore Duke Xian.
75
憲公享國十二年，居西新邑。 死，葬衙。 生武公、德公、出子。
Duke Xian enjoyed the state twelve years, resided in the western new settlement. Died, buried at Ya. Bore Duke Wu, Duke De, Chu Zi.
76
出子享國六年，居西陵。 庶長弗忌、威累、參父三人，率賊賊出子鄙衍，葬衙。 武公立。
Chu Zi enjoyed the state six years, resided in the western mound. The three prime ministers Fu Ji, Wei Lei, and Shen Fu led bandits to assassinate Chu Zi in Bi Yan, buried at Ya. Duke Wu established.
77
武公享國二十年。 居平陽封宮。 葬宣陽聚東南。 三庶長伏其罪。 德公立。
Duke Wu enjoyed the state twenty years. Resided in the Pingyang Feng Palace. Buried at the Xuanyang gathering to the southeast. The three prime ministers confessed their crimes. Duke De established.
78
德公享國二年。 居雍大鄭宮。 生宣公、成公、繆公。 葬陽。 初伏，以御蠱。
Duke De enjoyed the state two years. Resided in the Yong Great Zheng Palace. Bore Duke Xuan, Duke Cheng, Duke Mu. Buried at Yang. Initially established the dog days festival to ward off poison.
79
宣公享國十二年。 居陽宮。 葬陽。 初志閏月。
Duke Xuan enjoyed the state twelve years. Resided in the Yang Palace. Buried at Yang. Initially began recording intercalary months.
80
成公享國四年，居雍之宮。 葬陽。 齊伐山戎、孤竹。
Duke Cheng enjoyed the state four years, resided in Yong's palace. Buried at Yang. Qi launched attacks against the Shanrong and Guzhu tribes.
81
繆公享國三十九年。 天子致霸。 葬雍。 繆公學著人。 生康公。
Duke Mu reigned for thirty-nine years. The Son of Heaven conferred upon him the title of hegemon. He was buried in Yong. Duke Mu was succeeded by Duke Kang. Duke Kang was born to him.
82
康公享國十二年。 居雍高寢。 葬竘社。 生共公。
Duke Kang reigned for twelve years. He resided in the elevated hall in Yong. He was buried at Jiusha. Duke Gong was born to him.
83
共公享國五年，居雍高寢。 葬康公南。 生桓公。
Duke Gong reigned for five years and resided in the elevated hall in Yong. He was buried to the south of Duke Kang's tomb. Duke Huan was born to him.
84
桓公享國二十七年。 居雍太寢。 葬義裏丘北。 生景公。
Duke Huan reigned for twenty-seven years. He resided in the grand hall in Yong. He was buried north of Yili Hill. Duke Jing was born to him.
85
景公享國四十年。 居雍高寢，葬丘裏南。 生畢公。
Duke Jing reigned for forty years. He resided in the elevated hall in Yong and was buried south of Qiuli. Duke Bi was born to him.
86
畢公享國三十六年。 葬車裏北。 生夷公。
Duke Bi reigned for thirty-six years. He was buried north of Cheli. Duke Yi was born to him.
87
夷公不享國。 死，葬左宮。 生惠公。
Duke Yi did not ascend to the throne. He died and was buried in the left palace. Duke Hui was born to him.
88
惠公享國十年。 葬車里（康景）。 生悼公。
Duke Hui reigned for ten years. He was buried in Xichui. Duke Dao was born to him.
89
悼公享國十五年。 葬僖公西。 城雍。 生剌龔公。
Duke Dao reigned for fifteen years. He was buried to the west of Duke Xi's tomb. The walls of Yong were built. Duke Laigong was born to him.
90
剌龔公享國三十四年。 葬入里。 生躁公、懷公。 其十年，彗星見。
Duke Laigong reigned for thirty-four years. He was buried at Ruli. Duke Zhao and Duke Huai were born to him. In the tenth year of his reign, a comet was sighted.
91
躁公享國十四年。 居受寢。 葬悼公南。 其元年，彗星見。
Duke Zhao reigned for fourteen years. He resided in the Shou hall. He was buried to the south of Duke Dao's tomb. In the first year of his reign, a comet was sighted.
92
懷公從晉來。 享國四年。 葬櫟圉氏。 生靈公。 諸臣圍懷公，懷公自殺。
Duke Huai returned from Jin. He reigned for four years. He was buried at Luyushi. Duke Ling was born to him. The ministers besieged Duke Huai, forcing him to commit suicide.
93
肅靈公，昭子子也。 居涇陽。 享國十年。 葬悼公西。 生簡公。
Duke Suling was the son of Zhaozi. He resided in Jingyang. He reigned for ten years. He was buried to the west of Duke Dao's tomb. Duke Jian was born to him.
94
簡公從晉來。 享國十五年。 葬僖公西。 生惠公。 其七年。 百姓初帶劍。
Duke Jian returned from Jin. He reigned for fifteen years. He was buried to the west of Duke Xi's tomb. Duke Hui was born to him. In his seventh year. Commoners were first permitted to carry swords.
95
惠公享國十三年。 葬陵圉。 生出公。
Duke Hui reigned for thirteen years. He was buried at Lingyu. Duke Chu was born to him.
96
出公享國二年。 出公自殺，葬雍。
Duke Chu reigned for two years. Duke Chu committed suicide and was buried in Yong.
97
獻公享國二十三年。 葬囂圉。 生孝公。
Duke Xian reigned for twenty-three years. He was buried at Xiaoyu. Duke Xiao was born to him.
98
孝公享國二十四年。 葬弟圉。 生惠文王。 其十三年，始都咸陽。
Duke Xiao reigned for twenty-four years. He was buried at Diyu. King Huiwen was born to him. In his thirteenth year, Xianyang was first established as the capital.
99
惠文王享國二十七年。 葬公陵。 生悼武王。
King Huiwen reigned for twenty-seven years. He was buried at Gongling. King Daowu was born to him.
100
悼武王享國四年，葬永陵。
King Daowu reigned for four years and was buried at Yongling.
101
昭襄王享國五十六年。 葬茝陽。 生孝文王。
King Zhaoxiang reigned for fifty-six years. He was buried at Chaiyang. King Xiaowen was born to him.
102
孝文王享國一年。 葬壽陵。 生莊襄王。
King Xiaowen reigned for one year. He was buried at Shouling. King Zhuangxiang was born to him.
103
莊襄王享國三年。 葬茝陽。 生始皇帝。 呂不韋相。
King Zhuangxiang reigned for three years. He was buried at Chaiyang. The First Emperor was born to him. Lü Buwei served as chancellor.
104
獻公立七年，初行為市。 十年，為戶籍相伍。
In the seventh year of Duke Xian's reign, markets were first established. In the tenth year, a system of household registration in groups of five was established.
105
孝公立十六年。 時桃李冬華。
In Duke Xiao's sixteenth year. At this time, peaches and plums bloomed in winter.
106
惠文王生十九年而立。 立二年，初行錢。 有新生嬰兒曰「秦且王」。
King Huiwen ascended the throne at nineteen years of age. In his second year on the throne, coinage was first introduced. Had newborn infant said 'Qin and king'. (translated).
107
悼武王生十九年而立。 立三年，渭水赤三日。
King Daowu ascended the throne at nineteen years of age. In his third year on the throne, the Wei River ran red for three days.
108
昭襄王生十九年而立。 立四年，初為田開阡陌。
King Zhaoxiang ascended the throne at nineteen years of age. In his fourth year on the throne, the well-field system was first abolished, opening up the paths and boundaries between fields.
109
孝文王生五十三年而立。
King Xiaowen ascended the throne at fifty-three years of age.
110
莊襄王生三十二年而立。 立二年，取太原地。 莊襄王元年，大赦，修先王功臣，施德厚骨肉，布惠於民。 東周與諸侯謀秦，秦使相國不韋誅之，盡入其國。 秦不絕其祀，以陽人地賜周君，奉其祭祀。
King Zhuangxiang ascended the throne at thirty-two years of age. In his second year on the throne, he conquered the territory of Taiyuan. In the first year of King Zhuangxiang's reign, there was a general amnesty. He honored the meritorious ministers of previous kings, treated his relatives with generous virtue, and spread benevolence among the people. The Eastern Zhou conspired with the other feudal lords against Qin. Qin dispatched Chancellor Lü Buwei to execute their ruler and completely absorbed his territory. Qin did not extinguish his lineage, granting the Lord of Zhou territory in Yangren to maintain his ancestral sacrifices.
111
始皇享國三十七年。 葬酈邑。 生二世皇帝。 始皇生十三年而立。
The First Emperor reigned for thirty-seven years. He was buried in Liyi. The Second Emperor was born to him. The First Emperor ascended the throne at thirteen years of age.
112
二世皇帝享國三年。 葬宜春。 趙高為丞相安武侯。 二世生十二年而立。
The Second Emperor reigned for three years. He was buried at Yichun. Zhao Gao became Chancellor and Marquis of Anwu. The Second Emperor ascended the throne at twelve years of age.
113
右秦襄公至二世，六百一十歲。
From Duke Xiang of Qin to the Second Emperor was six hundred and ten years.
114
孝明皇帝十七年十月十五日乙丑，曰：
Lü Buwei was honored throughout the world.
115
周歷已移，仁不代母。 秦直其位，呂政殘虐。 然以諸侯十三，并兼天下，極情縱欲，養育宗親。 三十七年，兵無所不加，制作政令，施於後王。 蓋得聖人之威，河神授圖，據狼、狐，蹈參、伐，佐政驅除，距之稱始皇。
The Zhou calendar had already been superseded; benevolence cannot replace maternal authority. Qin seized power directly; Lü Zheng was cruel and tyrannical. Yet starting with thirteen feudal lords, he unified and annexed all under heaven. He indulged his passions and desires to the extreme, nurturing and raising his clan relatives. For thirty-seven years, his armies were deployed everywhere. He created systems and commands that were applied to later kings. He obtained the authority of a sage; the river god bestowed charts upon him. He held the constellations Lang and Hu, trod upon Can and Fa. He assisted in government and drove out evil, thus was called the First Emperor.
116
始皇既歿，胡亥極愚，酈山未畢，復作阿房，以遂前策。 云「凡所為貴有天下者，肆意極欲，大臣至欲罷先君所為」。 誅斯、去疾，任用趙高。 痛哉言乎！ 人頭畜鳴。 不威不伐惡，不篤不虛亡，距之不得留，殘虐以促期，雖居形便之國，猶不得存。
After the First Emperor died, Hu Hai was extremely foolish. Lishan was not yet finished, yet he resumed construction of Epang Palace to fulfill the previous strategy. He appointed Changping Jun and Changwen Jun as generals. He executed Li Si and Zhao Gao's brother Quji, and employed Zhao Gao. He attacked Wei, capturing twenty cities. Human heads spoke while beasts called out. Without awe-inspiring presence, one cannot extol virtue and punish evil. Without sincerity, one will perish in vain. Rejecting good counsel leads to ruin; cruel tyranny hastens destruction. Even in a state with natural advantages, survival becomes impossible.
117
子嬰度次得嗣，冠玉冠，佩華紱，車黃屋，從百司，謁七廟。 小人乘非位，莫不怳忽失守，偷安日日，獨能長念卻慮，父子作權，近取於戶牖之閒，竟誅猾臣，為君討賊。 高死之後，賓婚未得盡相勞，餐未及下咽，酒未及濡脣，楚兵已屠關中，真人翔霸上，素車嬰組，奉其符璽，以歸帝者。 鄭伯茅旌鸞刀，嚴王退舍。 河決不可復壅，魚爛不可復全。 賈誼、司馬遷曰：「向使嬰有庸主之才，僅得中佐，山東雖亂，秦之地可全而有，宗廟之祀未當絕也。」 秦之積衰，天下土崩瓦解，雖有周旦之材，無所復陳其巧，而以責一日之孤，誤哉！ 俗傳秦始皇起罪惡，胡亥極，得其理矣。 復責小子，云秦地可全，所謂不通時變者也。 紀季以酅，春秋不名。 吾讀秦紀，至於子嬰車裂趙高，未嘗不健其決，憐其志。 嬰死生之義備矣。
Ziying assessed the proper sequence and obtained the succession. He wore the jade crown, donned the splendid sash, rode in the yellow-canopied chariot, was followed by the hundred officials, and paid respects at the seven ancestral temples. Petty men took positions they did not deserve; none failed to suddenly lose their composure and abandon their duties. They sought daily comfort in complacency. Only Ziying could maintain long-term vision and reject shortsighted worries. Father and son wielded authority together, drawing power from their immediate household. In the end, they executed the treacherous ministers and eliminated traitors for their lord. After Zhao Gao's death, the wedding guests had not yet finished exchanging congratulations. Food had not yet been swallowed, wine had not yet touched their lips, when Chu troops had already massacred the Guanzhong region. The Worthy One appeared at Baxi Hill. In a plain chariot with hempen cords, he presented his imperial tally and seal to submit to the new emperor. The Lord of Zheng displayed thatched banners and phoenix-decorated knives; King Yan respectfully withdrew. A breached river cannot be dammed again; rotten fish cannot be made whole. He attacked Zhao, capturing nine cities. He attacked Wei, capturing ten cities. Popular tradition holds that Qin Shihuang arose from wickedness, and Hu Hai carried it to extremes. This captures the essence of it. Yet he again blamed Ziying, saying the Qin territories could have been preserved. This is what is meant by not understanding the changing times. Ji Ji was enfeoffed at Zui; the Spring and Autumn Annals does not record his name. When I read the Qin records, especially the part where Ziying had Zhao Gao torn apart by chariots, I cannot but admire his decisiveness and pity his noble intentions. Ziying fulfilled all the duties of life and death.